<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Empress Entertainment, Inc. as of and for
the year ended December 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0001066974
<NAME>  EMPRESS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         35,555
<SECURITIES>                                  163,933
<RECEIVABLES>                                   5,143
<ALLOWANCES>                                    2,235
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              203,495
<PP&E>                                        256,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                 62,891
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                426,813
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         183,463
<BONDS>                                       150,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                     67,350
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  426,813
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              396,666 
<CGS>                                               0        
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 315,766 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             25,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                62,051
<INCOME-TAX>                                      433
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (292) 
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   61,326       
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0