<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMAITON EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RALLY'S HAMBURGERS, INC., FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIODS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 6, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1998             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997             DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-6-1998             SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                           5,666                   4,593
<SECURITIES>                                    24,353                   1,732
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,653<F1>               2,880<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,075                     848
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,566                  10,375
<PP&E>                                         114,352                 112,051
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,277                  43,190
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 128,438                 111,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,174                  21,883
<BONDS>                                         60,657                  62,178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         2,960                   2,085
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,386                  16,094
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   128,438                 111,517
<SALES>                                         97,640                 104,956
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,410                 109,207
<CGS>                                           87,652                  93,477
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   98,637                 105,802
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   462                   (620)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   885                      37
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,041                   5,581
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,615)                 (1,593)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        78                     415
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,693)                 (2,008)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,693)                 (2,008)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.14)                  (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.14)                  (0.10)
<FN>
<F1>Receivables consist of -
Accounts Receivable - net     $ 2,939        $ 1,862
Notes Receivable                  714          1,018
                              -------        -------
Total                         $ 3,653        $ 2,880
                              =======        =======
</FN>
        

</TABLE>