<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MAY 11, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-11-1997
<CASH>                                      10,963,322
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               12,964,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,617,247
<INVENTORY>                                 46,501,010
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           158,142,066
<PP&E>                                     813,173,725
<DEPRECIATION>                             324,553,686
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             712,167,686
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      256,888,475
<BONDS>                                    417,124,943
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,568,109
<OTHER-SE>                                 (56,086,480)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               712,167,686
<SALES>                                    646,191,555
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           658,699,044
<CGS>                                      586,559,854
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              672,006,385
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            60,879,428
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          24,567,103
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (13,307,341)
<INCOME-TAX>                                (4,831,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (8,476,341)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (8,476,341)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.17)