<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN-DAK FARMER'S COOP. <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 853,102 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 13,134,198 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 12,450,318 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,915,762 <PP&E> 131,226,085 <DEPRECIATION> 48,551,028 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 138,270,087 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,070,317 <BONDS> 12,000,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 14,982,400 <COMMON> 120,250 <OTHER-SE> 42,220,968 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 138,270,087 <SALES> 114,334,522 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 114,811,297 <CGS> 50,827,909 <TOTAL-COSTS> 50,827,909 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,213,379 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,898,338 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,939,899 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,939,899 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,989,899 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0