<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MARCH 31,
1999 FORM 10-Q OF ARGOSY GAMING COMPANY AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         105,936
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,849
<INVENTORY>                                        977
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,101
<PP&E>                                         501,286
<DEPRECIATION>                                 109,180
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 573,806
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,161
<BONDS>                                        370,778
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           281
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,909
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   573,806
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               137,391
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  112,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   381
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,134
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,364
<INCOME-TAX>                                       600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,921
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,921
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10