<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