<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>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          15,624                  21,769
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,636                  27,844
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,524                  16,494
<INVENTORY>                                      3,873                   4,268
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,171                  49,761
<PP&E>                                         317,001                 312,683
<DEPRECIATION>                                 160,987                 145,243
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 224,438                 245,558
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,902                  37,300
<BONDS>                                        192,930                 195,442
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (20,945)                 10,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   224,438                 245,558
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               264,761                 283,950
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  233,118                 220,643
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,783                  42,902
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,167                   2,988
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,646                  19,872
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (28,953)                 (2,455)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,417                     186
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (31,370)                 (2,641)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (31,370)                 (2,641)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>