<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC. AS OF,
AND FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K OF WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                          1,926
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  61,752
<ALLOWANCES>                                    2,228
<INVENTORY>                                    63,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              138,207
<PP&E>                                         66,642
<DEPRECIATION>                                 17,770
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                256,029
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         157,860
<BONDS>                                         4,723
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          250
<OTHER-SE>                                     91,530
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  256,029
<SALES>                                       335,488
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              335,488
<CGS>                                         221,062
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 221,062
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              118,463
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             10,179
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,017)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,239)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,778)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,778)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.35)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.35)