
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000757523
<NAME> ARAMARK CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1996
<CASH>                                          22,545
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<COMMON>                                           237
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<SALES>                                              0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
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</TABLE>
