<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME OF THE
     COMPANY AS OF AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 25, 1996 AND IS
     QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0001011584          
<NAME>                                         FINE HOST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-25-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 DEC-28-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-25-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1
<CASH>                                         4,724
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 14,580
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    3,260
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              26,313
<PP&E>                                        30,613
<DEPRECIATION>                                 6,556
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               117,443
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         21,735
<BONDS>                                            0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                          62
<OTHER-SE>                                    46,772
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 117,443
<SALES>                                      127,925                               
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             127,925
<CGS>                                        113,703
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                119,091                    
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,330
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                6,504
<INCOME-TAX>                                   2,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            3,804
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2,504
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $0.50