<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GREATE BAY CASINO CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000030117
<NAME> GREATE BAY CASINO CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          10,171                  10,171
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      360                     360
<ALLOWANCES>                                       209                     209
<INVENTORY>                                        116                     116
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,959                  13,959
<PP&E>                                           2,231                   2,231
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,030                   1,030
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  19,689                  19,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          111,979                 111,979
<BONDS>                                         33,159                  33,159
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           519                     519
<OTHER-SE>                                    (143,547)               (143,547)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    19,689                  19,689
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,149                   4,631
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      155                     289
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   269                  (3,511)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,869                   7,720
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,144)                    133
<INCOME-TAX>                                        43                      45
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,187)                     88
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,187)                     88
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.42)                    .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.42)                    .02
        

</TABLE>