WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations of Amerigas
Partners L.P. as of and for the three months ended December 31, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements included
in Amerigas Partners' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
December 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000932628
<NAME> AMERIGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
[CIK] 0000945792
[NAME] AMERIGAS FINANCE CORP. 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          23,689
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  159,578
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,265
<INVENTORY>                                     93,767
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               294,234
<PP&E>                                         598,798
<DEPRECIATION>                                 147,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,457,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          242,295
<BONDS>                                        691,074
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     459,003
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,457,690
<SALES>                                        360,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               360,116
<CGS>                                          204,708
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  204,708
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,706
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,993
<INCOME-TAX>                                       608
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,951
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,951
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .95