<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 26, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-26-1997
<CASH>                                      11,851,223
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               13,206,997
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,595,628
<INVENTORY>                                 38,382,843
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           133,542,618
<PP&E>                                     790,076,204
<DEPRECIATION>                             343,645,369
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             644,688,759
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      171,778,293
<BONDS>                                    466,038,617
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,568,109
<OTHER-SE>                                (60,913,069)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               644,688,759
<SALES>                                  1,202,755,479
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,227,076,365
<CGS>                                    1,093,789,290
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,277,173,669
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           138,368,585
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          45,015,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (50,097,304)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (14,386,462)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (35,710,842)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (35,710,842)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.74)