<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000920941
<NAME> RED ROOF INNS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-08-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                          10,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,544
<ALLOWANCES>                                       603
<INVENTORY>                                     10,203
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,357
<PP&E>                                         894,371
<DEPRECIATION>                                  81,318
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 936,197
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,560
<BONDS>                                        516,538
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           285
<OTHER-SE>                                     341,269
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   936,197
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               264,611
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  120,968
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                74,888
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   314
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,704
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,737
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,634
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,103
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (746)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,357
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72