<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 16,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-16-1997
<CASH>                                       9,930,552
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,348,574
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,555,955
<INVENTORY>                                 48,734,390
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           167,279,586
<PP&E>                                     804,651,168
<DEPRECIATION>                             312,857,304
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             726,521,045
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      228,263,118
<BONDS>                                    458,485,993
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,551,609
<OTHER-SE>                                 (61,246,253)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               726,521,045
<SALES>                                    356,743,001
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           363,290,333
<CGS>                                      328,274,313
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              384,907,056
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            42,647,996
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          13,984,747
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (21,616,723)
<INCOME-TAX>                                (7,847,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (13,769,723)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (13,769,723)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.28)