<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HOLLYWOOD CASINO SHREVEPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001096352
<NAME> HOLLYWOOD CASINO SHREVEPORT
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          33,947                  33,947
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      993                     993
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,997                  34,997
<PP&E>                                          22,205                  22,205
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 208,005                 208,005
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,987                   7,987
<BONDS>                                        151,716                 151,716
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,302                  48,302
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   208,005                 208,005
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                       0
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   310                     386
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,322                   1,277
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,632)                 (1,663)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,632)                 (1,663)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,632)                 (1,663)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>