<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         285,558
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  172,398
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,832
<INVENTORY>                                    275,177
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               844,311
<PP&E>                                       1,715,533
<DEPRECIATION>                                 575,856
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,466,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          464,334
<BONDS>                                      1,079,251
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    249,256
<COMMON>                                        18,614
<OTHER-SE>                                     456,383
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,466,934
<SALES>                                      2,435,248
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,435,248
<CGS>                                        1,947,888
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,947,888
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,534
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             130,232
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (16,728)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (27,728)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (22,838)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (50,566)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.13)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.13)<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Amounts include an extraordinary loss of $.41 per share from debt
refinancings in the second and third quarters.
</FN>