<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet of Ark Restaurants Corp. and its subsidiaries as of
October 2, 1999, and the related consolidated statement of operations, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                           1,000

                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                    DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                       JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                         OCT-02-1999
<CASH>                                   333,621
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                          3,073,615
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                            1,916,436
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       6,815,851
<PP&E>                                47,260,429
<DEPRECIATION>                        18,162,614
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        47,379,103
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  9,860,055
<BONDS>                                7,804,065
<COMMON>                                  52,084
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                            29,461,888
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          47,379,103
<SALES>                              110,800,913
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     110,800,913
<CGS>                                 29,301,303
<TOTAL-COSTS>                         29,301,303
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      69,465,087
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       425,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        7,070,339
<INCOME-TAX>                           2,575,608
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                    4,494,731
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   0
<EPS-BASIC>                               1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                               1.29