<ARTICLE>                                   5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the balance sheet and income statment for the 26 weeks of
Ark Restaurants Corp. and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000

                                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                        APR-1-2000
<CASH>                                                     106
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            3,159
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                              2,321
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        11,067
<PP&E>                                                  58,539
<DEPRECIATION>                                          20,051
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          57,986
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    8,247
<BONDS>                                                 25,543
<COMMON>                                                    52
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                              23,555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            57,986
<SALES>                                                 52,722
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        52,722
<CGS>                                                   13,873
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           13,873
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        40,819
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         608
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        (7,193)
<INCOME-TAX>                                           (2,498)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    (4,695)
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                (190)
<NET-INCOME>                                           (4,885)
<EPS-BASIC>                                             (1.53)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (1.53)