<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                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          13,371                  13,371
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      411                     411
<ALLOWANCES>                                       209                     209
<INVENTORY>                                         94                      94
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,425                  15,425
<PP&E>                                           1,403                   1,403
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,061                   1,061
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,280                  21,280
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,277                 105,277
<BONDS>                                         33,804                  33,804
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           519                     519
<OTHER-SE>                                    (118,830)               (118,830)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,280                  21,280
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,556                   6,187
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       43                     332
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (27,579)                 31,090
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,809                  11,529
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,283                  25,416
<INCOME-TAX>                                        56                     101
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,227                  25,315
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,227                  25,315
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.86                    4.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.86                    4.88
        

</TABLE>