
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the October
12, 1997 Financial Statements 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>             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS           6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               MAR-29-1998     MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                  JUL-21-1997     MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    OCT-12-1997     OCT-12-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1               1     
<CASH>                                7,213           7,213  
<SECURITIES>                              0               0      
<RECEIVABLES>                           337             337 
<ALLOWANCES>                              0               0 
<INVENTORY>                           2,955           2,955 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                     11,497          11,497 
<PP&E>                               26,268          26,268 
<DEPRECIATION>                       29,606          29,606 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       41,519          41,519 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 7,987           7,987
<BONDS>                               8,544           8,544
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0               0
<PREFERRED>                               2               2
<COMMON>                                608             608
<OTHER-SE>                           24,378          24,378
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         41,519          41,519
<SALES>                              21,044          48,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     21,192          48,781
<CGS>                                 5,467          12,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        12,844          29,372
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      1,152           2,535
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      160             377
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       1,569           4,000
<INCOME-TAX>                            429           1,220
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   1,140           2,780
<DISCONTINUED>                            0               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0               0
<CHANGES>                                 0               0
<NET-INCOME>                          1,140           2,780
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           .18             .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .18             .44
        


</TABLE>
