<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING
     FORM 10-K OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
     AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000030697
<NAME>                        TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         154,405
<SECURITIES>                                    51,711
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,613
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     55,340
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               445,662
<PP&E>                                         224,206
<DEPRECIATION>                                 116,934
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 854,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          250,487
<BONDS>                                        500,529
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,398
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   854,404
<SALES>                                        931,920
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               989,249
<CGS>                                          652,109
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  652,109
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              73,379
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,638
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (11,294)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (8,485)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (5,416)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (13,901)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0