<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION AS
OF AND FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-01-1995
<CASH>                                          21,916
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  105,562
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,376
<INVENTORY>                                    162,105
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               320,015
<PP&E>                                         445,535
<DEPRECIATION>                                 187,212
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 764,712
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          163,100
<BONDS>                                        168,457
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     353,995
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   764,712
<SALES>                                        379,548
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               379,548
<CGS>                                          247,024
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  247,024
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (49,560)<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   441
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,930
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 90,124
<INCOME-TAX>                                    40,894
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             49,230
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,230
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.89
<FN>
<F1>Unusual Item:  Gain on sale of Frozen Foods business.
</FN>