<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT FOR 39 WEEKS OF ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                           1,000
       
                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                         OCT-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                           JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                  1,163
<SECURITIES>                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                           1,675
<ALLOWANCES>                                0
<INVENTORY>                               887
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        5,379
<PP&E>                                 29,154
<DEPRECIATION>                         11,944
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         28,568
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   5,580
<BONDS>                                 4,988
<COMMON>                                   46
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       0
<PREFERRED>                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                             16,978
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           28,568
<SALES>                                56,774
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       56,774
<CGS>                                  15,396
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          15,396
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       42,518
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        331
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           268
<INCOME-TAX>                              134
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       134
<DISCONTINUED>                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0
<CHANGES>                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                              134
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             .04
<EPS-DILUTED>                             .04