<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                 SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                                           110,062
<SECURITIES>                                                      41,635
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     21,431
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       6,389
<INVENTORY>                                                        3,021
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 181,095
<PP&E>                                                           439,596
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    64,333
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   573,198
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                             60,261
<BONDS>                                                          315,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             106
<OTHER-SE>                                                       112,812
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     573,198
<SALES>                                                                0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 233,701
<CGS>                                                                  0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    140,242 <F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     663 <F2>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                25,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   22,569
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       7,158
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               15,411
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      15,411
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       1.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          0
<FN>
<F1>THIS AMOUNT IS THE SUM OF CASINO, ROOMS, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, AND OTHER
OPERATING EXPENSES UNDER COSTS AND EXPENSES IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, LESS THE PROVISION
FOR DOUBTFUL RECEIVABLES INCLUDED THEREIN.
<F2>THIS AMOUNT IS INCLUDED IN CASINO AND ROOMS UNDER COSTS AND EXPENSES
IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>