<ARTICLE>      5

<LEGEND>


THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GB HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000912926

<NAME>         GB HOLDINGS INC.
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000

       
                                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                        YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                                    23,844
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             19,348
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              11,920
<INVENTORY>                                                                3,402
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          38,574
<PP&E>                                                                   328,230
<DEPRECIATION>                                                          (182,045)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           199,148
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     21,442
<BONDS>                                                                  182,243
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                                               (42,742)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             199,148
<SALES>                                                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         237,344
<CGS>                                                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            200,865
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                          29,109
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           1,667
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          (648)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            6,351
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        6,351
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               6,351
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                  0