<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DIEDRICH
COFFEE, INC. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED AND
AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1996 CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-30-1996
<CASH>                                       5,113,553
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  189,863
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,454,143
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,208,571
<PP&E>                                      12,458,428
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,512,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              19,256,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,984,245
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    16,014,099
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                19,256,910
<SALES>                                     14,046,778
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            14,046,778
<CGS>                                        6,005,203
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,005,203
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,668,203
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             186,851
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                261,709
<INCOME-TAX>                                   103,319
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            158,390
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   158,390
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0