<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 THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           6,844
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,098
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,032
<INVENTORY>                                    177,308
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               315,936
<PP&E>                                         455,855
<DEPRECIATION>                                 194,698
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 766,899
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          159,805
<BONDS>                                        169,695
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     362,159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   766,899
<SALES>                                        193,446
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               193,446
<CGS>                                          126,467
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  126,467
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (237)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,906
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,078
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,588
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,490
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,490
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52