<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1998 <CASH> 653 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,958 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 86,877 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 107,553 <PP&E> 161,896 <DEPRECIATION> 52,690 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 234,864 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 96,276 <BONDS> 12,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 17,144 <COMMON> 120 <OTHER-SE> 61,247 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 234,864 <SALES> 46,078 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 45,291 <CGS> 16,321 <TOTAL-COSTS> 16,321 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 953 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,060 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,865 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,865 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,865 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0