<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
         THE BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT FOR 26 WEEKS OF ART RESTAURANTS
         CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
         STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                          OCT-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                            MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                   1,120
<SECURITIES>                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                            1,499
<ALLOWANCES>                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                862
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         6,297
<PP&E>                                  27,171
<DEPRECIATION>                          11,591
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          28,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    5,008
<BONDS>                                  6,063
<COMMON>                                    46
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
<PREFERRED>                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                              15,790
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            28,191
<SALES>                                 34,173
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        34,173
<CGS>                                    9,480
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            9,480
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        27,695
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         210
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         (2,008)
<INCOME-TAX>                            (1,004)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (1,004)
<DISCONTINUED>                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                            (1,004)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             (.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (.31)