<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000948218 <NAME> MINN DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> MAR-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1999 <CASH> 25 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20,726 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 58,576 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 81,069 <PP&E> 168,364 <DEPRECIATION> 58,874 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 207,202 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,401 <BONDS> 11,270 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 18,483 <COMMON> 118 <OTHER-SE> 73,610 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 207,202 <SALES> 142,582 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 142,683 <CGS> 57,031 <TOTAL-COSTS> 57,031 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,327 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,262 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,577 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,577 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10,577 <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0