
<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 29,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Form 10-KSB for fiscal
1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000935226
<NAME>                        BENIHANA INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-29-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                          1
<CASH>                                               1,169
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          385
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                          3,768
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     6,080
<PP&E>                                              32,998
<DEPRECIATION>                                      36,657
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      58,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               11,262
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              1
<COMMON>                                               609
<OTHER-SE>                                          14,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        58,157
<SALES>                                             99,062
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    99,757
<CGS>                                               25,894
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       58,517
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     5,408
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   1,076
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      8,862
<INCOME-TAX>                                         2,922
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  5,940
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         5,940
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .93
        


</TABLE>
