<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
1996 OF PATRIOT AMERICAN HOSPITALITY, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>   0000016343
<NAME>  PATRIOT AMERICAN HOSPITALITY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<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>                                          20,360                   6,604
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,105                   5,351
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,306                   1,648
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                       2,083,768                 661,640
<DEPRECIATION>                                  67,501                  19,815
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,321,105                 760,931
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           733                     436
<OTHER-SE>                                     908,294                 436,603
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,321,105                 760,931
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,554                  76,493
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               136,800                  30,145
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              51,000                   7,380
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    382                  37,991
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (2,534)                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,152)                 37,991
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.04)                   1.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.04)                   1.06


</TABLE>