<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 PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,539
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  107,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,090
<INVENTORY>                                    169,884
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               319,651
<PP&E>                                         464,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                 201,160
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 775,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          148,583
<BONDS>                                        193,906
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     358,032
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   775,944
<SALES>                                        393,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               393,480
<CGS>                                          258,665
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  258,665
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (110)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,381
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,461
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,429
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,032
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,032
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08