<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF PENSKE MOTORSPORTS, INC. AS
OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,864
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,198
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,360
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,673
<PP&E>                                         241,634
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,318
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 284,211
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,829
<BONDS>                                         49,739
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                     190,675
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   284,211
<SALES>                                         10,250
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,974
<CGS>                                            6,009
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,679
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   727
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 766
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,802
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,957
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,845
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,845
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .63