SCHEDULE 13G
Amendment No. 3
Buffets, Inc.
Common Stock
Cusip # 119882108
Filing Fee: No
Cusip # 119882108
Item 1: Reporting Person - General American Investors Company,
Inc. - (Tax ID: 13-5098450)
Item 2: Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group
(a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
Item 4: Delaware
Item 5: 1,431,500
Item 7: 1,431,500
Item 8: 77,691
Item 9: 1,509,191
Item 11: less than 5%
Item 12: IV and IA
SCHEDULE 13G - TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE
13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b)
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
Buffets, Inc.
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
10260 Viking Drive, Suite 100
Eden Prarie, MN 55344
Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:
General American Investors Company, Inc.
Item 2(b). Address or Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
Delaware Corporation
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
119882108
Item 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b), and the
person filing is an: Investment Company registered under section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and Investment Adviser registered under section
203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Item 4(a). Amount Beneficially Owned:
1,509,191
Item 4(b). Percent of Class:
less than 5%
Item 4(c). Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote
1,431,500
(ii) shares power to vote or to direct the vote
0
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
1,431,500
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
77,691
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another
Person.
Not Applicable.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the
Parent Holding Company.
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not Applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable.
Item 10. Certification.
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of
business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of
changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were
not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having
such purposes or effect.
Signature.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
February 13, 1997
Date
/s/Eugene L. DeStaebler, Jr.
Signature
Eugene L. DeStaebler, Jr.
Vice-President, Administration
Name/Title
