<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000948218
<NAME> MINN-DAK FARMER'S COOP.
       
                                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                  YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                          SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                            AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                                    1,234,541
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            15,712,528
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                              26,557,607
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         49,898,395
<PP&E>                                                  155,773,059
<DEPRECIATION>                                           51,523,574
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          174,385,651
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    39,734,986
<BONDS>                                                  12,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                              17,143,552
<COMMON>                                                    120,250
<OTHER-SE>                                               56,382,611
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            174,385,651
<SALES>                                                 139,729,701
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        138,392,407
<CGS>                                                    55,269,447
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            55,269,447
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          4,567,869
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        4,315,823
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           4,275,944
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       4,275,944
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                              4,275,944
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     0