<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999 <CASH> 257 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,719 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 77,302 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 96,974 <PP&E> 167,643 <DEPRECIATION> 57,296 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 223,945 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 72,647 <BONDS> 11,270 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 18,483 <COMMON> 119 <OTHER-SE> 69,878 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 223,945 <SALES> 96,859 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 96,996 <CGS> 38,867 <TOTAL-COSTS> 38,867 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,901 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,742 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,826 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,826 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,826 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0