<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         108,994
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,120
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        155
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               113,966
<PP&E>                                          28,359
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,532
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 174,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,180
<BONDS>                                            512
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            7,000
<PREFERRED>                                          1 <F1>
<COMMON>                                             7
<OTHER-SE>                                     154,594
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   174,049
<SALES>                                          4,540
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                27,736
<CGS>                                              968
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,426
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,730
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,454
<INCOME-TAX>                                       699
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,755
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,755
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.07
        

<FN>
Represents par value of Reading Entertainment Series B preferred stock
</FN>