<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 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 25, 1997 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-25-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          16,158
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,271
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,615
<PP&E>                                          44,636
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,846
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,437
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           29,651
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            90
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,394
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,437
<SALES>                                        111,564
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               111,564
<CGS>                                          104,424
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  104,424
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 815
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,167)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,109)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,058)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,058)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.73)