<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
October 8, 2000 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> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-01-2001 APR-01-2001
<PERIOD-START> JUL-17-2000 MAR-27-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-08-2000 OCT-08-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 1
<CASH> 1,312 1,312
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 572 572
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 3,894 3,894
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 7,288 7,288
<PP&E> 48,778 48,778
<DEPRECIATION> 42,610 42,610
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 81,517 81,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,616 17,616
<BONDS> 16,267 16,267
0 0
1 1
<COMMON> 617 617
<OTHER-SE> 47,017 47,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 81,517 81,517
<SALES> 36,433 83,151
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 36,697 83,766
<CGS> 9,893 22,955
<TOTAL-COSTS> 22,099 49,960
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,913 4,068
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 367 829
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,425 5,954
<INCOME-TAX> 836 1,930
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,589 4,024
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,589 4,024
<EPS-BASIC> .26 .65
<EPS-DILUTED> .24 .61
</TABLE>