<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SHONEY'S, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 25, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-25-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-25-1998
<CASH>                                      16,277,722
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,405,561
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,142,071
<INVENTORY>                                 37,146,297
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           150,961,564
<PP&E>                                     677,978,782
<DEPRECIATION>                             350,673,367
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             523,468,833
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      176,320,386
<BONDS>                                    443,243,110
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,694,865
<OTHER-SE>                                (168,182,036)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               523,468,833
<SALES>                                  1,115,634,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,143,362,463
<CGS>                                    1,035,129,613
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,222,854,245
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           139,248,114
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          48,476,518
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (79,491,782)
<INCOME-TAX>                                26,797,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (106,288,782)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             (1,415,138)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (107,703,920)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (2.21)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (2.21)