<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000858915
<NAME> CALIFORNIA CULINARY ACADEMY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,293
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                       382
<INVENTORY>                                        291
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,562
<PP&E>                                          12,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,386
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  13,208
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,557
<BONDS>                                          1,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         91
<COMMON>                                        10,635
<OTHER-SE>                                     (4,399)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    13,208
<SALES>                                             87
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,117
<CGS>                                               51
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,688
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,797
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    54
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 (5)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (363)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (70)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (293)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (293)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.09)