<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> MAR-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000 <CASH> 146 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,275 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 66,923 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 84,664 <PP&E> 170,378 <DEPRECIATION> 64,389 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 203,932 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 50,582 <BONDS> 10,495 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 18,483 <COMMON> 121 <OTHER-SE> 78,919 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 203,932 <SALES> 162,866 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 163,057 <CGS> 58,909 <TOTAL-COSTS> 58,909 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,359 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,044 <INCOME-PRETAX> 18,126 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,126 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,126 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0