<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-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,404                   6,404
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      926                     926
<ALLOWANCES>                                        33                      33
<INVENTORY>                                        529                     529
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,386                  11,386
<PP&E>                                             870                     870
<DEPRECIATION>                                     568                     568
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  12,174                  12,174
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,830                  14,830
<BONDS>                                         45,069                  45,069
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           519                     519
<OTHER-SE>                                    (48,244)                (48,244)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    12,174                  12,174
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,644                   9,509
<CGS>                                            2,008                   4,098
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,334                   3,426
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   663                   2,207
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     5                       5
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,715                   4,941
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,081)                 (5,168)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        69                      52
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,150)                 (5,220)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,150)                 (5,220)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.22)                  (1.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.22)                  (1.01)


</TABLE>