<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PJ AMERICA'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998
AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000 
       
<S>                             <C>                        <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-27-1998               DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1997               DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-27-1998               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                          6,811                     4,525
<SECURITIES>                                   13,365                    22,784
<RECEIVABLES>                                       0                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       425                       248
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               13,061                    24,853
<PP&E>                                         21,715                    11,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                (4,712)                   (3,051)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 46,073                    38,373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           4,566                     2,555
<BONDS>                                             0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                         0
<COMMON>                                           58                        58
<OTHER-SE>                                     40,628                    35,593
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   46,073                    38,373
<SALES>                                        48,506                    34,481
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               48,506                    34,481
<CGS>                                          15,483                    10,940
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  41,190                    29,049
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                2,476                     1,897
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (724)                     (578)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 5,564                     4,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,836                     1,374
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             3,728                     2,739
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    3,728                     2,739
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.64                      0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.63                      0.49
        


</TABLE>