
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the July 19,
1998 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>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               MAR-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                  MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                    JUL-19-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                           1
<CASH>                                  472
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                           321
<ALLOWANCES>                              0
<INVENTORY>                           3,792
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                      5,238
<PP&E>                               33,420
<DEPRECIATION>                       31,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                       57,532
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                10,631
<BONDS>                              17,527
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               1
<COMMON>                                609
<OTHER-SE>                           28,764
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>         57,532
<SALES>                              34,545
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                     34,818
<CGS>                                 9,156
<TOTAL-COSTS>                        21,667
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      1,784
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                      541
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       1,670
<INCOME-TAX>                            502
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                   1,168
<DISCONTINUED>                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                           0
<CHANGES>                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                          1,168
<EPS-PRIMARY>                           .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                           .18
        


</TABLE>
