<ARTICLE>             5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the balance
sheet and income statement for the 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>                              Oct-3-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   Jun-27-1998
<CASH>                                                 313
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        2,814
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                          2,053
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     6,868
<PP&E>                                              42,506
<DEPRECIATION>                                      16,444
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      42,684
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                8,390
<BONDS>                                              4,751
<COMMON>                                                52
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<OTHER-SE>                                          28,804
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        42,684
<SALES>                                             85,168
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    85,168
<CGS>                                               22,697
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       22,697
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    58,565
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     380
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      4,837
<INCOME-TAX>                                         1,935
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  1,935
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         2,902
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .75