
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the audited
consolidated financial statements of the company for the year ended March 30,
1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Form 10-KSB for fiscal
1997.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>              0000935226 
<NAME>             BENIHANA INC.
<MULTIPLIER>       1,000
<CURRENCY>         U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                               7,043
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          542
<ALLOWANCES>                                            27
<INVENTORY>                                          3,148
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    11,570
<PP&E>                                              25,416
<DEPRECIATION>                                      34,059
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      40,562
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                8,454
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              2
<COMMON>                                               608
<OTHER-SE>                                          14,978
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        40,562
<SALES>                                             84,415
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    85,204
<CGS>                                               21,658
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       51,246
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     4,217
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     904
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      7,179
<INCOME-TAX>                                         2,232
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  4,947
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         4,947
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .78
        


</TABLE>
