<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR
THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                           8,717
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,615
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,768
<INVENTORY>                                    179,020
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               326,364
<PP&E>                                         447,381
<DEPRECIATION>                                 187,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 776,870
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          182,600
<BONDS>                                        160,678
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     359,082
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   776,870
<SALES>                                        792,971
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               792,971
<CGS>                                          518,194
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  518,194
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (26,847)<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,356
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,107
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,603
<INCOME-TAX>                                    48,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             66,103
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    66,103
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.54
<FN>
<F1>Unusual Item:  Includes the gain on the sale of the Frozen Foods busines offset
by the costs of discontinuing a product line and other items which include the
cost of a patent infringement judgment and the write-down of intangible assets.
</FN>