<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FAIR GROUNDS CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL
30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                           5,695
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,567
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        141
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,693
<PP&E>                                          52,806
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,496
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  46,383
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,704
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,525
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,501
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    46,383
<SALES>                                         25,595
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                30,211
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,150
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,404
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  10
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,556
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,316
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,240
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    206
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,447
<EPS-BASIC>                                       5.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     5.22