<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MTR GAMING
GROUP, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                      11,186,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  649,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (122,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            16,366,000
<PP&E>                                      45,594,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             (8,463,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              59,637,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,222,000
<BONDS>                                     33,455,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  22,861,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                59,637,000
<SALES>                                     60,897,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            60,897,000
<CGS>                                       39,151,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               51,190,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,055,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,927,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (27,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,954,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,954,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29