<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Casino America, Inc.'s Consolidated Financial Statements and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                          22,279
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,389
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,260
<PP&E>                                         197,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,435
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 306,209
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,939
<BONDS>                                        155,812
<COMMON>                                           226
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      96,233 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   306,209
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,117
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,292
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,202
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,684
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,540
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,623
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,917
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,917
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14