<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 2, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-25-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-2-1998
<CASH>                                      18,413,132
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               12,793,823
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,428,555
<INVENTORY>                                 35,597,063
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           109,930,694
<PP&E>                                     747,282,256
<DEPRECIATION>                             370,819,555
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             534,045,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      167,321,052
<BONDS>                                    453,694,796
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,694,865
<OTHER-SE>                                (156,122,457)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               534,045,179
<SALES>                                    876,236,404
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           897,522,978
<CGS>                                      807,394,511
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              959,990,565
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           114,947,047
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          37,649,007
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (62,467,587)
<INCOME-TAX>                                31,677,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (94,144,587)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             (1,415,138)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (95,559,725)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.96)