<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 11/30/97
AGRIBRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC. BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                          30,200
<SECURITIES>                                     6,100
<RECEIVABLES>                                  122,600
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,400
<INVENTORY>                                    110,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               269,500
<PP&E>                                         319,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                 169,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 473,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,300
<BONDS>                                         19,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     179,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   473,300
<SALES>                                        374,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               374,800
<CGS>                                          318,700
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  318,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,600
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>LOSS-PROVISION INCLUDED IN OTHER-EXPENSE ABOVE
</FN>