<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JANUARY 25, 1998 AND APRIL 27, 1997 (audited)
AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
JANUARY 25, 1998 AND JANUARY 26, 1997 (unaudited) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000926295
<NAME>         BOSTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>   1
<CURRENCY>     U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                                      <C>                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            3-MOS                 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   APR-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                      OCT-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                        JAN-25-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                            1.00
<CASH>                                                                  243,129
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            28,863
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  0
<INVENTORY>                                                             226,829
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                        588,690
<PP&E>                                                                4,809,302
<DEPRECIATION>                                                        2,005,011
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        4,719,339
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                 1,114,095
<BONDS>                                                                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                 50,157
<OTHER-SE>                                                            1,435,937
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          4,719,339
<SALES>                                                               2,818,548
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      2,820,566
<CGS>                                                                   570,668
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                         2,724,125
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                              0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       73,019
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          27,298
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                           0
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             27,298
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               .01
                                                       

</TABLE>