<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 8/31/97
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>                                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                          25,200
<SECURITIES>                                     6,800
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,200
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,800
<INVENTORY>                                    112,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               270,100
<PP&E>                                         329,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 172,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 481,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          223,400
<BONDS>                                         22,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   481,200
<SALES>                                      1,527,600
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,527,600
<CGS>                                        1,322,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,322,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               157,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,600
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0