SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                (Amendment No. )

                              NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                  Common Stock
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    632347100
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                               Nancy D. Lieberman
                    Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.
                             100 Jericho Quadrangle
                            Jericho, New York 11753
                                 (516)822-4820

(Name , Address and Telephone Number of Person  Authorized to Receive Notice and
Communications)

                                January 27, 1997
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


     If the filing  person has  previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition  which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box .

     Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the  Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to
be sent.


                         (Continued on following pages)

                               (Page 1 of 5 Pages)



     *The  remainder  of this cover  page  shall be filled  out for a  reporting
person's  initial  filing on this  form with  respect  to the  subject  class of
securities,  and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The  information  required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other  provisions of the Act  (however,  see
the Notes).




                                  SCHEDULE 13D

CUSIP No.     632347100                                        Page 2 of 5 Pages


1    Name of Reporting Person
     S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No.  of Above Person

                                Howard M. Lorber


2    Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group* (a) [ ]
                                                       (b) [X]


3    SEC Use Only


4    Source of Funds       PF


5    Check Box if Disclosure of Legal  Proceedings is Required Pursuant to Items
     2(d) or 2(e) [ ]


6    Citizenship or Place of Organization

                                U.S.A.


     Number of       7    Sole Voting Power
     Shares               330,834

     Beneficially    8    Shared Voting Power
                          22,153

     Owned by Each   9    Sole Dispositive Power
     Reporting            330,834

     Person         10    Shared Dispositive Power
     With                 22,153


11   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 

                          352,987


12   Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) excludes Certain Shares* [ ]



13   Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 
           
                          7.1%


14   Type of Reporting Person* 
                          IN








Item 1: Security and Issuer.

The securities to which this Schedule 13D relate are the shares of Common Stock,
par value  $.001  per  share  (the  "Shares")  of  Nathan's  Famous,  Inc.  (the
"Issuer"),  a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
address of the Issuer's  principal  executive  office is 1400 Old Country  Road,
Westbury, New York 11590.

Item 2: Identity and Background.

The person filing this statement is Howard M. Lorber,  a United States  citizen.
Mr. Lorber's  business  address is 70 East Sunrise Highway,  Valley Stream,  New
York 11581. Mr. Lorber's  principal  occupation is President and Chief Operating
Officer  of New Valley  Corp.  since  November  1994.  Mr.  Lorber has also been
Chairman of the Board of the Issuer since 1990,  Chief  Executive  Officer since
1993 and a director since 1987.

During  the  last  five  years,  Mr.  Lorber  has not  been a  party  to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or  administrative  body of competent  jurisdiction the
result of which he was or is  subject  to a  judgement,  decree  or final  order
enjoining  future violation of, or prohibiting or mandating  activities  subject
to,  federal or state  securities  laws or finding any violation with respect to
such laws.

Item 3: Source or Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

Of the 352,987 Shares  beneficially  owned by him, Mr. Lorber  purchased  72,500
Shares with his personal funds. In connection with his employment by the Issuer,
Mr.  Lorber  acquired  options  exercisable  within the next 60 days to purchase
108,334  Shares and  warrants  exercisable  within the next 60 days to  purchase
150,000 Shares.

Item 4: Purpose of the Transaction.

Of the  352,987  Shares  beneficially  owned  by him,  Mr.  Lorber  acquired  an
aggregate  72,500 Shares in open market  purchases,  Mr. Lorber acquired options
exercisable within the next 60 days to purchase 108,334 and warrants exercisable
within  the next 60 days to  purchase  150,000  Shares  in  connection  with his
employment  by the Issuer and 22,153  Shares were  acquired by Aegis  Resources,
Inc. ("Aegis") in connection with distributions to Aegis as a partner of various
partnerships which owned Shares of the Issuer.

Mr. Lorber has no present  plans or proposals  which would result in a change in
the present Board or  management of the Issuer.  Mr. Lorber has no present plans
which would result in a material  change in the  Issuer's  business or corporate
structure.


Item 5: Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a) As of the close of business on January 20,  1998,  Mr.  Lorber  beneficially
owns 352,987 Shares which includes (a) options to purchase an aggregate  108,334
Shares,  (b) warrants to purchase an aggregate 150,000 Shares, (c) 22,153 Shares
owned by Aegis.

(b) Mr.  Lorber  has sole power to  dispose  or direct  the  disposition  of the
330,834 Shares beneficially owned by him. Mr. Lorber shares the power to dispose
or direct the  disposition  of the 22,153 Shares owned by Aegis which Mr. Lorber
may be deemed to own beneficially.

Mr.  Lorber  has sole  power to vote or direct  the vote of the  330,834  Shares
beneficially  owned by him.  Mr.  Lorber  shares the power to vote or direct the
vote of the 22,153  Shares owned by Aegis which Mr.  Lorber may be deemed to own
beneficially.

(c) In the past 60 days,  (i) Mr.  Lorber made the  following  purchases in open
market  transactions:  400 Shares on  November  25,  1997 for $3.1875 per Share;
4,500 Shares on December 16, 1997 for $4.25 per Share;  5,000 Shares on December
19, 1997 for $4.00 per Share;  5,000  Shares on December 19, 1997 for $3.968 per
Share;  7,000 Shares on December 29, 1997 for $3.875 per Share; and 1,000 Shares
on December 30, 1997 for $3.625 per Share and (ii) Mr. Lorber acquired  warrants
to purchase  37,500 Shares at an exercise  price of $4.50 per Share by virtue of
the vesting of a warrant granted on November 8, 1993.

Item 6: Contracts, Arrangements,  Understandings or Relationship with Respect to
        Securities of the Issuer.

None.

Item 7: Exhibits.





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.

January 20, 1998
- --------------------------------------
Date

/s/ Howard M. Lorber
- --------------------------------------
Signature

Howard M. Lorber Chairman & CEO
- --------------------------------------
Name/Title

Attention:  Intentional  misstatements  or omissions of fact constitute  Federal
criminal violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).