<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF BUCKHEAD  AMERICA  CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       

                                 

<PERIOD-TYPE>                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                                1,765
<SECURITIES>                                          1,505
<RECEIVABLES>                                         1,403
<ALLOWANCES>                                            151
<INVENTORY>                                               0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      5,202
<PP&E>                                               25,653
<DEPRECIATION>                                        1,952
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       34,775
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 3,570
<BONDS>                                              17,009
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                                 19
<OTHER-SE>                                           14,403
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         34,775
<SALES>                                               5,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      7,941
<CGS>                                                 4,288
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         4,746
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      1,447
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      614
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       1,134
<INCOME-TAX>                                              0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   1,134
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                          1,134
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           .61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .61