SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

           (Mark one)

              [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 29, 1997

              [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the transition period from ______ to ______

                         Commission file number 0-14030

                              ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             New York                                         13-3156768
  (State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)

  85 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York                            10003
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including
area code                                                    (212) 206-8800

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

                              Yes   X    No _____

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                      Outstanding shares at May 8, 1997
(Common stock, $.01 par value)                    3,832,499








ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX


                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                              ----
                                                                                              
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
  Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements:

   Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets - March 29, 1997
    (Unaudited) and September 28, 1996 (Unaudited)                                               1

   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings -
    13-week periods ended March 29, 1997 (Unaudited) and March 30, 1996
    (Unaudited) and 26-week periods ended March 29, 1997 (Unaudited) and March
    30, 1996 (Unaudited)                                                                         2

   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - 26-week periods
    ended March 29, 1997 (Unaudited) and March 30, 1996 (Unaudited)                              3

   Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
    Statements (Unaudited)                                                                       4

  Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations                                                  5-8

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION:

 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                     9

  Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                      10









PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)



                                                                        March 29,         September 28,
                                                                          1997                1996
                                                                        ---------         -------------
                                                                                            
ASSETS

  CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                             $   451               $   907
  Accounts receivable                                                     2,369                 1,462
  Current portion of long-term receivables                                  424                    94
  Inventories                                                             1,276                   840
  Prepaid expenses                                                          519                   465
  Refundable and prepaid income taxes                                     1,287                     -
  Other current assets                                                      816                   409
  Deferred income taxes                                                     681                   631
                                                                        -------               -------
      Total current assets                                                7,823                 4,808

LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES                                                     1,067                   360

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE                                                      1,434                 2,614

FIXED ASSETS - At Cost:
  Leasehold improvements                                                 23,030                13,020
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment                                      16,899                11,114
  Leasehold improvements in progress                                         33                 6,289
                                                                        -------               -------
                                                                         39,962                30,423
  Less accumulated depreciation and
   amortization                                                          12,557                11,325
                                                                        -------               -------
                                                                         27,405                19,098
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Less accumulated
  amortization of $2,217 and $2,070                                       3,711                 3,885
OTHER ASSETS                                                                599                   680
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                     1,059                   934
                                                                        -------               -------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                            $43,098               $32,379
                                                                        =======               =======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable - trade                                              $ 3,625               $ 2,365
  Accrued expenses and other current
   liabilities                                                            3,438                 3,031
  Current maturities of long-term debt                                      947                   151
  Current maturities of capital lease obligations                           234                   241
  Accrued income taxes                                                        -                   324
                                                                        -------               -------
      Total current liabilities                                           8,244                 6,112

LONG-TERM DEBT - net of current maturities                               10,523                 6,253
OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES - net of current
 maturities                                                                 546                   662
OPERATING LEASE DEFERRED CREDIT                                           1,547                 1,547

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share -
   authorized, 10,000,000 shares;
   issued, 5,177,836 and 4,608,882 shares                                    52                    46
  Additional paid-in capital                                             13,879                 7,790
  Retained earnings                                                       9,554                11,216
                                                                        -------               -------
                                                                         23,485                19,052
  Less treasury stock, 1,345,337 shares                                   1,247                 1,247
                                                                        -------               -------
      Total shareholders' equity                                         22,238                17,805
                                                                        -------               -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                              $43,098               $32,379
                                                                        =======               =======


See notes to consolidated condensed
financial statements

                                        1








ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except per share amounts)



                                                       13 Weeks Ended                26 Weeks Ended
                                                   -----------------------      -----------------------
                                                   March 27,     March 30,      March 27,     March 30,
                                                     1997          1996           1997          1996
                                                   ---------     ---------      ---------     ---------
                                                                                      
NET SALES                                          $24,887       $15,450        $43,054       $34,173

COST OF SALES                                        7,112         4,302         12,210         9,480
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
GROSS RESTAURANT PROFIT                             17,775        11,148         30,844        24,693
MANAGEMENT FEE INCOME                                  453           454            651           630
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
                                                    18,228        11,602         31,495        25,323
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
OPERATING EXPENSES
  Payroll and payroll benefits                      10,244         6,441         17,602        13,305
  Occupancy                                          3,365         2,556          5,797         4,791
  Depreciation and amortization                        858           675          1,446         1,337
  Other                                              4,005         2,991          6,555         6,032
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
                                                    18,472        12,663         31,400        25,465
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 EXPENSES                                            1,587         1,225          3,009         2,230
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
                                                    20,059        13,888         34,409        27,695
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
OPERATING LOSS                                      (1,831)       (2,286)        (2,914)       (2,372)
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
  Interest expense, net                                219           111            238           210
  Other income                                        (203)         (344)          (384)         (574)
                                                   -------       -------        -------        ------
                                                        16          (233)          (146)         (364)
                                                   -------       -------        -------        ------

LOSS BEFORE BENEFIT FOR
 INCOME TAXES                                       (1,847)       (2,053)        (2,768)       (2,008)

BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES                              (739)       (1,024)        (1,107)       (1,004)
                                                   -------       -------        -------       -------
NET LOSS                                            (1,108)       (1,029)        (1,661)       (1,004)

RETAINED EARNINGS, Beginning
  of period                                         10,663        10,452         11,216        10,427
                                                   -------        ------        -------       -------
RETAINED EARNINGS, End of period                   $ 9,555        $9,423        $ 9,555        $9,423
                                                   =======       =======        =======       =======
NET LOSS PER SHARE                                  $(.29)        $(.32)         $(.46)        $(.31)
                                                    =====         =====          =====         =====
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
   USED IN COMPUTATIONS                              3,829         3,245          3,600         3,220
                                                   =======       =======        =======       =======


See notes to consolidated condensed
financial statements

                                        2








ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)



                                                                                  26 Weeks Ended
                                                                             --------------------------
                                                                             March 27,        March 30,
                                                                               1997             1996
                                                                             --------         ---------
                                                                                             
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net loss                                                                    $(1,661)         $(1,004)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets                            1,365            1,163
      Amortization of intangibles                                                206              240
      Loss (Gain) on sale of restaurants                                        (188)              97
      Deferred income taxes                                                     (175)            (104)
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Decrease (Increase) in accounts receivable                                (907)              25
      Decrease (Increase) in inventories                                        (436)             (12)
      Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses                                    (54)             285
      Decrease (Increase) in refundable and prepaid income taxes              (1,287)          (1,158)
      Decrease (Increase) in other assets                                       (386)              90
      Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable - trade                          1,260              229
      Increase (Decrease) in accrued expenses and other
       current liabilities                                                       353             (360)
      Increase (Decrease) in accrued income taxes                               (324)            (265)
                                                                             -------          -------
        Net cash used in operating activities                                 (2,234)            (774)
                                                                             -------          -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to fixed assets                                                   (9,539)            (829)
  Additions to intangible assets                                                  (7)               -
  Issuance of long-term receivables                                                -              (42)
  Payments received on long-term receivables                                      21               41
  Restaurant sales                                                               267                -
                                                                             -------          -------
         Net cash used in investing activities                                (9,258)            (830)
                                                                             -------          -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds of long-term debt                                                   9,750            1,500
  Principal payment on long-term debt                                         (4,686)             (68)
  Principal payment on capital lease obligations                                (123)            (113)
  Proceeds from common stock private placement, net                            6,029                -
  Exercise of stock options                                                       66              134
                                                                             -------          -------

         Net cash provided by financing activities                            11,036            1,453
                                                                             -------          -------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                       (456)            (151)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period                                   907            1,271
                                                                             -------          -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period                                     $   451          $ 1,120
                                                                             =======          =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid during year for:
   Interest                                                                  $   629          $   262
                                                                             =======          =======
   Income taxes                                                              $   693              529
                                                                             =======          =======


See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

                                        3







ARK RESTAURANTS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Ark
Restaurants Corp. (the "Company"), without audit. In the opinion of management,
all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to
present fairly the financial position at March 29, 1997 and results of
operations and changes in cash flows for the periods ended March 29, 1997 and
March 30, 1996 have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these condensed financial
statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 28, 1996. The results of operations for the periods ended March
29, 1997 is not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full
year.

2. RESTAURANT SALES

In the first quarter of fiscal 1997 the Company sold three of its smaller
restaurants located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The aggregate
selling price for the restaurants was $1,366,000, of which an aggregate of
$308,000 was paid in cash and the balance of $1,058,000 is payable in various
periods through December 2006. Gains of approximately $188,000 were recognized
on these sales.

3. LONG-TERM DEBT

In January 1997, the Company borrowed from its main bank, $2,851,000 to
refinance the purchase of various restaurant equipment at its food and beverage
facilities in a hotel & casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The note bears interest at
8.75% per annum and is payable in 60 equal monthly installments of $58,833
inclusive of interest, until maturity in January 2002. The Company granted the
bank a security interest in such restaurant equipment. In connection with such
financing, the Company granted the bank the right to purchase 35,000 shares of
the Company's common stock at the exercise price of $11.625 per share through
December 2001.

4. COMMON STOCK PRIVATE PLACEMENT

In December 1996, the Company raised net proceeds of $6,066,000 in a private
placement of 551,454 shares of its common stock at $11 per share. The proceeds
of such offering were used to repay a portion of the Company's outstanding bank
borrowings and for the payment of capital expenditures on its Las Vegas
restaurant facilities at the New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas,
Nevada which opened in January 1997.

5. INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

Per share data is based upon the weighted average number of shares of common
stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during each period; common stock
equivalents consist of dilutive stock options. For the periods ended March 29,
1997 and March 30, 1996, no effect has been given to outstanding options since
the effect was not material.

                                       4







ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
        CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

 NET SALES

     Net sales at restaurants owned by the Company increased 61.1% in the
13-week period ended March 29, 1997 from the comparable period ended March 30,
1996 and increased 26.0% in the 26-week period ended March 29, 1997 from the
comparable period last year. The increase in sales for the 13-week and 26-week
periods ended March 29, 1997 was primarily due to sales of $9,577,000 from the
food and beverage operations in the New York New York Hotel & Casino resort in
Las Vegas all of which were realized in the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997.
At such facilities the Company operates a 450 seat, twenty four hour a day
restaurant (America); a 160 seat steak house (Gallagher's); a 120 seat Mexican
restaurant (Gonzalez y Gonzalez), the resorts room service, banquet facilities
and an employee dining facility. The Company also operates a complex of nine
smaller eateries (Village Eateries) in the resort which simulate the experience
of walking through New York's Little Italy and Greenwich Village.

     The increase in sales for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended March 29,
1997 were offset to a minor extent by the sale of one restaurant in fiscal 1996
(the Whale's Tail) and three restaurants in fiscal 1997 (Museum Cafe, Rodeo Bar
& Grill and Mackinac Bar & Grill). Same store sales in the 13-week period ended
March 29, 1997 increased by 6.4% and same store sales in the 26-week period
increased by 2.5% principally due to increased customer counts.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

     The Company's cost of sales consists of food and beverage costs at
restaurants owned by the Company. For the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997
cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 28.6% as compared to 27.8% last
year and cost of sales as a percentage of net sales for the 26-week period was
28.4% as compared to 27.7% last year. The increase in cost of sales as a
percentage of food and beverage costs is due to higher cost of sales associated
with the Company's food and beverage operations in the New York New York Hotel &
Casino resort in Las Vegas as compared to the Company's other restaurants. The
Company believes that the higher cost of sales in Las Vegas is in part due to
inefficiencies typically encountered with new facilities and that such cost of
sales will improve in the upcoming fiscal quarters in comparison to 13-week
period ended March 29, 1997.

     Operating expenses of the Company, consisting of restaurant payroll,
occupancy and other expenses at restaurants owned by the Company, as a
percentage of net sales, were 74.2% for the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997
as compared to 82.0% last year and for the 26-week period ended March 29, 1997
were 72.9% as compared to 74.5% last year . The decrease in operating expenses
as a percentage of net sales in the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997 was
principally due to benefits achieved from the 6.4% increase in same store sales
and from the sale of four restaurants in fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 which had
operated at a loss in the comparable period ended March 30, 1996. Occupancy
expenses as a percentage of net sales for the 13-week period ended March 29,
1997 decreased to 13.5% of net sales as compared to 16.5% last year principally
due to lower occupancy costs associated with the Company's Las Vegas restaurant
facilities.

                                       5







     General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were
6.4% for the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997 as compared to 7.9% last year
and for the 26-week period ended March 29, 1997 were 7.0% as compared to 6.5%
last year. If net sales at managed restaurants and bars were included in
consolidated net sales, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
net sales would have been 5.7% for the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997 as
compared to 6.9% last year and would have been 6.1% for the 26-week period ended
March 29, 1997 as compared to 5.7% last year. The decrease in general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the 13-week period
ended March 29, 1997 was principally due to the 61.1% increase in sales which
exceeded the 29.6% increase in general and administrative expenses. For the
26-week period ended March 29, 1997, general and administrative expenses
increased in corporate payroll, marketing, travel and other categories in
connection with the anticipated January 1997 opening of the Company's Las Vegas
restaurant facilities.

     The Company had a net loss of $1,108,000 for the 13-week period ended March
29, 1997 as compared to a net loss of $1,029,000 last year and had a net loss of
$1,661,000 for the 26-week period ended March 29, 1997 as compared to $1,004,000
last year. The results for the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997, were
impacted by approximately $700,000 in pre-opening expenses and early operating
losses at the Company's Las Vegas restaurant facilities and results for the
26-week period ended March 29, 1997 were impacted by approximately $2,000,000 in
pre-opening and early operating losses at the Company's Las Vegas restaurant
facilities. The Las Vegas restaurant facilities have been profitable since
February 1997.

     During the 13-week period ended March 29, 1997 the Company managed six
restaurants and two corporate dining facilities owned by third parties. Net
sales of the managed locations were $2,862,000 during the 13-week period ended
March 29, 1997 as compared to $2,249,000 last year and net sales for the 26-week
period ended March 29, 1997 were $6,133,000 as compared to $4,943,000 last year.
These increases were principally due to the addition of two management
agreements. Net sales of these operations are not included in consolidated net
sales.

INCOME TAXES

     The provision (benefit) for income taxes reflects Federal income taxes
calculated on a consolidated basis and state and local income taxes calculated
by each subsidiary on a non consolidated basis. Most of the restaurants owned or
managed by the Company are owned or managed by a separate subsidiary. For state
and local income tax purposes, the losses incurred by a subsidiary may only be
used to offset that subsidiary's income, with the exception of the restaurants
which operate in the District of Columbia. Accordingly, the Company's overall
effective income tax rate has varied depending on the level of the losses
incurred at individual subsidiaries.

     As a result of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, the
Company is entitled, to a tax credit based on the amount of FICA taxes paid by
the Company with respect to the tip income of restaurant service personnel. The
Company estimates that this credit will be in excess of $400,000 for the current
year.

                                       6







 LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF CAPITAL

     The Company's primary source of capital is cash provided by operations and
funds available from the $12,000,000 revolving credit agreement with its main
bank. The Company utilizes capital primarily to fund the cost of developing and
opening new restaurants and acquiring existing restaurants.

     The Company's Revolving Credit and Term Loan facility with its main bank
includes a $7,000,000 facility for use in construction of and as working capital
for the Company's recently opened Las Vegas restaurant facilities and a
$5,000,000 facility for working capital purposes at the Company's other
restaurants. The two facilities each have two year terms enabling the Company to
borrow until March 1998 at which time outstanding loans may be converted into
two year term loans. The $7,000,000 facility will convert into a two year loan
amortizing $6,000,000 over the two year period with the balance of $1,000,000
paid at maturity and the $5,000,000 facility will convert into a two year
self-amortizing term loan. At March 29, 1997 the Company had borrowings of
$7,750,000 outstanding under those facilities.

     In January 1997,pursuant to a new equipment financing facility, the Company
borrowed from its main bank $2,851,000 at an interest rate of 8.75% to refinance
the purchase of various restaurant equipment at the Las Vegas restaurant
facilities. The note, which is payable in 60 equal monthly installments through
January 2002, is secured by such restaurant equipment.

     The net cash used in investing activities for the 26-week period ended
March 29, 1997 ($9,258,000) was principally due to capital expenditures for the
Las Vegas restaurant facilities.

     The net cash provided by financing activities for the 26-week period ended
March 29 includes net proceeds of $6,029,000 from the private placement in
December 1996 of 551,454 shares of its common stock at $11 per share. The funds
were used to repay a portion of the Company's outstanding borrowings on its
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility and for the payment of capital
expenditures on the Las Vegas restaurant facilities.

     At March 29, 1997, the Company had a working capital deficit of $421,000 as
compared to a working capital deficit of $1,304,000 at September 28, 1996. The
restaurant business does not require the maintenance of significant inventories
or receivables, thus the Company is able to operate with minimal and even
negative working capital.

     The Company also has a four year $1,300,000 Letter of Credit Facility with
its main bank for use in lieu of lease security deposits. At March 29, 1997 the
Company had delivered $1,075,000 in irrevocable letters of credit on this
facility.

     The amount of indebtedness that may be incurred by the Company is limited
by the revolving credit agreement with its main bank. Certain provisions of the
agreement may impair the Company's ability to borrow funds.

RESTAURANT EXPANSION

     The Company has a lease for a new facility in the World Financial Center in
downtown New York City. The Company expects to incur approximately $700,000 in
capital expenditures and other pre-opening

                                       7







expenses in connection with the opening of this restaurant. This restaurant,
which will have approximately 150 seats, is scheduled to open in the third
fiscal quarter of 1997.

     The Company is exploring additional opportunities for expansion of its
business. However, the Company is not currently committed to any other projects.
The Company is not proceeding with a previously announced agreement in principle
to manage certain restaurants at hotel and casino facilities in Primm, Nevada.
The Company expects to fund its existing projects through cash from operations
and existing credit facilities. Additional expansion may require additional
external financing.

                                       8







PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         A lawsuit  was  commenced  against  the  Company  in April  1997 in the
District Court for Clark County,  Nevada by one former  employee and one current
employee of the  Company's  Las Vegas  subsidiary  alleging that (i) the Company
forced food service  personnel at the Company's Las Vegas restaurant  facilities
to pay a portion of their tips back to the  Company in  violation  of Nevada law
and (ii) the Company  failed to timely pay wages to  terminated  employees.  The
action  was  brought  as a class  action  on behalf  of all  similarly  situated
employees.  The Company believes that  the first allegation is entirely  without
merit  and  that the  Company will have no liability. The Company also  believes
that its liability,  if any,  from  an  adverse result in connection  with   the
second  allegation would   be inconsequential. The Company intends to vigorously
defend against these claims.

         In  addition,  several  unfair  labor  practice charges have been filed
against the Company before  the  National Labor Relations Board with respect  to
the Company's Las Vegas subsidiary. The Company believes that these unfair labor
practice  charges and the litigation described above  are  part  of  an  ongoing
campaign by  the  Culinary Workers Union which is seeking to represent employees
at the Company's  Las Vegas restaurants.  However, rather than pursue the normal
election process pursuant to which employees  are  given  the  freedom to choose
whether  they  should be represented by  a  union,  a  process which the Company
supports, the Company believes the union is  seeking to achieve  recognition  as
the bargaining agent for such employees through  a  campaign directed not at the
Company's employees but at the Company itself  and its stockholders. The Company
intends to continue to support the right of its employees to decide such matters
and  to  oppose  the  efforts of the Culinary Workers Union  to  circumvent that
process. 


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         The Company held its annual meeting of  shareholders on March 18, 1997.
The following matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders:

         (i)  The election of eight directors;

         (ii) The approval of an amendment  to the  Company's  1996 Stock Option
         Plan (the  "Plan")  to  increase  the  maximum  number of shares of the
         Company's  Common Stock,  $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock")
         available for issuance under the Plan from 135,000 to 270,000;

         (iii) The  approval of an  amendment to the  Company's  certificate  of
         incorporation  that will authorize the Company to issue up to 1,000,000
         shares  of  preferred  stock  to be  issued  from  time to time in such
         amounts and designations as authorized by the Board of Directors; and

         (iv) The  ratification  of the  appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
         independent auditors for the 1997 fiscal year.

         The  Company's  shareholders  re-elected  the entire Board of Directors
consisting of Ernest Bogen,  Michael Weinstein,  Vincent Pascal,  Robert Towers,
Andrew Kuruc, Paul Gordon, Donald D. Shack, and Jay Galin.

         The  Company's  shareholders  approved  the  amendment  to the  Plan to
increase the maximum  number of shares of the Company's  Common Stock  available
for  issuance  under  the Plan  from  135,000  to  270,000  shares  by a vote of
2,969,495 for, 239,415 against and 128,850 abstaining.

         The  Company's  shareholders  approved the  amendment to the  Company's
certificate  of  incorporation  thereby  authorizing  the Company to issue up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred

                                       9









stock  to be  issued  from  time to time in cash  amounts  and  designations  as
authorized by the Board of Directors by a vote of 1,996,758 for, 460,838 against
and 1,350 abstaining.

         The Company's shareholders ratified the Board of Director's appointment
of  Deloitte & Touche LLP as the  Company's  independent  auditors  for the 1997
fiscal year by a vote of 3,347,180 for, 500 against and 751 abstaining.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS OF FORM 8-K

(A)      EXHIBITS:

         3.1      Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Registrant,  filed  on
                  January 4, 1983,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
                  the  Registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal
                  year ended October 1, 1994 (the "1994 10-K").

         3.2      Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation
                  of the Registrant  filed on October 11, 1985,  incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 1994 10-K.

         3.3      Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation
                  of the  Registrant  filed on July 21,  1988,  incorporated  by
                  reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the 1994 10-K.

        *3.4      Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate of  Incorporation
                  of the Registrant filed on May 13, 1997.

         3.5      By-Laws  of  the  Registrant,  incorporated  by  reference  to
                  Exhibit 3.4 to the 1994 10-K.

        10.1      Amended and Restated Redemption  Agreement dated June 29, 1993
                  between the Registrant and Michael Weinstein,  incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 1994 10-K.

        10.2      Form of  Indemnification  Agreement  entered  into between the
                  Registrant  and  each  of  Michael  Weinstein,  Ernest  Bogen,
                  Vincent  Pascal,  Robert Towers,  Jay Galin,  Andrew Kuruc and
                  Donald D. Shack,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
                  the 1994 10-K.

        10.3      Ark Restaurants Corp. Amended Stock Option Plan,  incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 1994 10-K.

        10.4      Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March
                  5, 1996  between the  Company and Bank Leumi Trust  Company of
                  New York,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.52 to the
                  Registrant's Quarterly Report


                                       10








                  on Form 10-Q for the  quarterly  period  ended  March 30, 1996
                  (the "March 1996 10-Q").

         10.5     Ark Restaurants Corp. 1996 Stock Option Plan,  incorporated by
                  reference  to  Exhibit  4.1 to the  Registrant's  Registration
                  Statement on Form S-8 filed with the  Commission  on April 17,
                  1997 (Registration Number 333-25363).

                  ---------------------------------
                  *Filed Herewith

        (b)           REPORTS ON FORM 8-K:

                      None


                                       11






                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 13, 1997

      ARK RESTAURANTS CORP.

      By /S/ Michael Weinstein
         ---------------------------------------
             Michael Weinstein, President

      By /S/ Andrew B. Kuruc
         ---------------------------------------
             Andrew B. Kuruc
             Vice President, Controller and
             Principal Accounting Officer


                                       12









                                                   EXHIBIT INDEX

              Number                Description

              3.1                   Certificate   of    Incorporation   of   the
                                    Registrant,   filed  on   January  4,  1983,
                                    incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
                                    the Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
                                    for the fiscal  year  ended  October 1, 1994
                                    (the "1994 10-K").

              3.2                   Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate
                                    of  Incorporation of the Registrant filed on
                                    October 11, 1985,  incorporated by reference
                                    to Exhibit 3.2 to the 1994 10-K.

              3.3                   Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate
                                    of  Incorporation of the Registrant filed on
                                    July 21, 1988,  incorporated by reference to
                                    Exhibit 3.3 to the 1994 10-K.

              3.4                   Certificate of Amendment of the  Certificate
                                    of  Incorporation of the Registrant filed on
                                    May 13, 1997.

              3.5                   By-Laws of the  Registrant,  incorporated by
                                    reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the 1994 10-K.

             10.1                   Amended and  Restated  Redemption  Agreement
                                    dated June 29, 1993  between the  Registrant
                                    and  Michael   Weinstein,   incorporated  by
                                    reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 1994 10-K.

             10.2                   Form of  Indemnification  Agreement  entered
                                    into  between  the  Registrant  and  each of
                                    Michael  Weinstein,  Ernest  Bogen,  Vincent
                                    Pascal,  Robert  Towers,  Jay Galin,  Andrew
                                    Kuruc and Donald D. Shack,  incorporated  by
                                    reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 1994 10-K.

             10.3                   Ark Restaurants  Corp.  Amended Stock Option
                                    Plan,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                                    10.3 to the 1994 10-K.

             10.4                   Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
                                    dated  as  of  March  5,  1996  between  the
                                    Company and Bank Leumi Trust  Company of New
                                    York,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                                    10.52 to the  Registrant's  Quarterly Report
                                    on Form 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended
                                    March 30, 1996 (the "March 1996 10-Q").










              10.5                  Ark  Restaurants  Corp.  1996  Stock  Option
                                    Plan,  incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
                                    4.1   to   the   Registrant's   Registration
                                    Statement   on  Form  S-8  filed   with  the
                                    Commision  on April 17,  1997  (Registration
                                    Number 333-25363).