<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