<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> MAR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1997 <CASH> 277 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,142 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 54,497 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 73,937 <PP&E> 145,602 <DEPRECIATION> (50,391) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 190,458 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,216 <BONDS> 12,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 17,144 <COMMON> 121 <OTHER-SE> 68,006 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 190,458 <SALES> 133,631 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 132,993 <CGS> 44,364 <TOTAL-COSTS> 44,364 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,507 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,953 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,494 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,494 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,494 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0