<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GB HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000912926
<NAME> GB HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          13,871                  15,624
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,749                  25,636
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,955                  15,524
<INVENTORY>                                      3,372                   3,873
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,088                  35,171
<PP&E>                                         320,535                 317,001
<DEPRECIATION>                                 172,819                 160,987
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 187,728                 224,438
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,117                  50,902
<BONDS>                                        192,918                 192,930
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (58,601)                (20,945)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   187,728                 224,438
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               256,255                 264,761
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  212,712                 233,118
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                36,182                  37,783
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,845                   2,167
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,580                  20,646
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (27,064)                (28,953)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,902                   2,417
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (37,966)                (31,370)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    310                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (37,656)                (31,370)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>