<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GREATE BAY CASINO CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000030117
<NAME> GREATE BAY CASINO CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,801                  10,616
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      419                     367
<ALLOWANCES>                                        28                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        599                     378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,336                  13,602
<PP&E>                                             771                   1,564
<DEPRECIATION>                                     438                   1,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,862                  19,946
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,921                 103,532
<BONDS>                                         40,446                  35,040
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           519                     519
<OTHER-SE>                                     (43,024)               (119,145)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,862                  19,946
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,422                   8,971
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,933                   1,314
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (82,311)                (31,913)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    50                     115
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,636                  15,252
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,114                  24,203
<INCOME-TAX>                                        (7)                   (287)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             76,121                  24,490
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    76,121                  24,490
<EPS-BASIC>                                      14.68                    4.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    14.68                    4.72


</TABLE>