<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>  0001086775
<NAME> VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA INC.

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1999
<CASH>                                          15,320
<SECURITIES>                                       259
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,506
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,374
<INVENTORY>                                     13,066
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,558
<PP&E>                                          93,964
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,794
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 288,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,489
<BONDS>                                        216,559
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       (919)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   288,049
<SALES>                                        329,689
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               329,689
<CGS>                                          259,553
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  259,553
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (948)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (206)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (742)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    873
<CHANGES>                                          256
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,871)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0