<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