<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTIANS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HOLLYWOOD CASINO CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000888245
<NAME> HOLLYWOOD CASINO CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          42,118                  40,259                  21,488
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,836                   3,935                   4,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,468                   1,188                   1,693
<INVENTORY>                                      1,385                   1,454                   1,620
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                61,467                  60,902                  42,166
<PP&E>                                         248,457                 237,261                 235,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                  80,642                  66,099                  49,740
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 270,740                 276,218                 308,158
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,754                  38,404                  36,018
<BONDS>                                        219,615                 219,261                 223,764
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                             2                       2                       2
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,510                   9,115                  38,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   270,740                 276,218                 308,158
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               268,760                 267,757                 530,580
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  196,991                 185,055                 423,738
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,961                  45,558                  80,911
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   845                  20,376                  25,172
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,416                  28,541                  55,989
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (453)                (11,773)                (55,230)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       816                   5,359                      63
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,269)                (17,132)                (55,293)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (336)                   (215)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,605)                (17,347)                (55,293)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)                   (.70)                  (2.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)                   (.70)                  (2.24)
        

</TABLE>