<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 DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           6,726
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  105,747
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,640
<INVENTORY>                                    184,701
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               328,610
<PP&E>                                         494,129
<DEPRECIATION>                                 219,501
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 789,593
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          150,903
<BONDS>                                        208,887
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     357,121
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   789,593
<SALES>                                        193,484
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               193,484
<CGS>                                          127,632
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,632
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   242
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,687
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,196
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,313
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,883
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,883
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.55