<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DIEDRICH
COFFEE, INC. FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-29-1997
<CASH>                                       2,071,904
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  210,363
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,615,145
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,367,547
<PP&E>                                      13,880,561
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,917,809
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              17,471,419
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,418,807
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        53,917
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                17,471,419
<SALES>                                     19,812,406
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            19,812,406
<CGS>                                        9,263,286
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,263,286
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,577,101
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             189,549
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,113,812)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (985,705)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (985,705)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0