<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AU BON PAIN CO., INC. FOR THE SIXTEEN WEEKS ENDED APRIL 20, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996 <PERIOD-START> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> APR-20-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 3,422,642 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 8,186,594 <ALLOWANCES> 77,634 <INVENTORY> 7,645,806 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 25,250,640 <PP&E> 190,350,341 <DEPRECIATION> 67,805,275 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 192,636,740 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 31,061,648 <BONDS> 66,519,856 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,167 <OTHER-SE> 94,130,516 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 192,636,740 <SALES> 66,729,410 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 69,440,784 <CGS> 24,286,080 <TOTAL-COSTS> 24,286,080 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 42,314,736 <LOSS-PROVISION> 21,280 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,860,505 <INCOME-PRETAX> 969,215 <INCOME-TAX> 171,875 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 797,340 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 797,340 <EPS-PRIMARY> .07 <EPS-DILUTED> .07