
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the July 20,
1997 Financial Statemens and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
Financial Statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000935226
<NAME>                        BENIHANA INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                  MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    JUL-20-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1
<CASH>                                6,806
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                           263
<ALLOWANCES>                             22
<INVENTORY>                           3,008
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     10,810
<PP&E>                               26,349
<DEPRECIATION>                       29,099
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       40,940
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 8,187
<BONDS>                               8,891
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               2
<COMMON>                                608
<OTHER-SE>                           23,252
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         40,940
<SALES>                              27,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     27,589
<CGS>                                 7,030
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        16,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      1,383
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      217
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       2,431
<INCOME-TAX>                            791
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   1,640
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                          1,640
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .26
        


</TABLE>
