<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF PENSKE MOTORSPORTS, INC. AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FORTHE YEARS ENDED DECEMER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             249                     249
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,787                   4,787
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      2,433                   2,433
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,551                   9,551
<PP&E>                                         246,635                 246,635
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,969                  21,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 291,772                 291,772
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,696                  38,696
<BONDS>                                         48,295                  48,295
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           142                     142
<OTHER-SE>                                     190,552                 190,552
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   291,772                 291,772
<SALES>                                          3,865                  30,340
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,171                 109,816
<CGS>                                            1,543                  16,954
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,953                  80,944
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   133                     860
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 869                   1,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,784)                  26,454
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (966)                  10,009
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,818)                  16,445
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,818)                  16,445
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.13)                    1.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.13)                    1.19
        

</TABLE>