<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEPTEMBER
30, 1996, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JEFFERSON CASINO CORPORATION AND
ITS SUBSIDIARY CASINO MAGIC OF LOUISIANA, CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      37,816,861
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,591
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            38,200,972
<PP&E>                                      82,558,598
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             145,363,446
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,203,488
<BONDS>                                    115,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                  20,166,071
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               145,363,446
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   20,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             739,283
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (759,330)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (759,330)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (759.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (759.33)