<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Banance Sheet and Statement of Consolidated Income of the company
as of and for the nine months ended September 24,k 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-24-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,580
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,753
<ALLOWANCES>                                       129
<INVENTORY>                                      6,702
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                39,793
<PP&E>                                          47,502
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,746
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 169,707
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,720
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            91
<OTHER-SE>                                      81,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   169,707
<SALES>                                        179,698
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               179,698
<CGS>                                          168,551
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  168,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,346
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,744)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,030)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,714)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,714)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.02)