<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JUNE 30,
1998 FORM 10-Q OF ARGOSY GAMING COMPANY.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          65,320
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,612
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,064
<INVENTORY>                                      1,446
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,304
<PP&E>                                         489,409
<DEPRECIATION>                                  86,681
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 562,833
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,160
<BONDS>                                        350,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            7,615
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           245
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,021
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   562,833
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               240,157
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  205,116
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   679
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,487
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,196
<INCOME-TAX>                                       250
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,278)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,278)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.09)