<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 OF PATRIOT AMERICAN HOSPITALITY, INC.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000016343
<NAME>PATRIOT AMERICAN HOSPITALITY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          39,030                  20,360
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,636                  14,458
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                       5,225,483               2,083,768
<DEPRECIATION>                                 173,105                  67,501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,756,426               2,321,105
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         49                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,555                     733
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,494,721                 908,294
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,756,426               2,321,105
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               438,119                 123,308
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               269,167                  95,270
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             162,294                  31,977
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,669                     549
<INCOME-TAX>                                       533                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 30,559                   2,534
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,879)                 (4,547)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.88)                  (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.88)                  (0.09)
        

</TABLE>