<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN DAK FARMER'S COOP <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 134 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 12,379 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 76,391 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,805 <PP&E> 135,248 <DEPRECIATION> (48,222) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 201,998 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 78,424 <BONDS> 12,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 14,982 <COMMON> 120 <OTHER-SE> 47,556 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 201,998 <SALES> 48,662 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 48,379 <CGS> 15,729 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,729 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,227 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,186 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,334 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,334 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,334 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0