<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS DATA SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INCLUDED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000912145
<NAME> AMERISTAR CASINOS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,048
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,358
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,713
<PP&E>                                         294,427
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,131
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 275,015
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,407
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           204
<OTHER-SE>                                      76,302
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   275,015
<SALES>                                        101,583
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,583
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,488
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,885
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,828
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,266
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,562
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0