<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF CAPSTAR HOTEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          83,429
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,586
<ALLOWANCES>                                       577
<INVENTORY>                                      4,654
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               132,829
<PP&E>                                         950,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,124,642
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,593
<BONDS>                                        492,771
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           249
<OTHER-SE>                                     519,163
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,124,642
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               316,393
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  128,448
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               126,433
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,063
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,911
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,152
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (4,092)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,060
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.06