<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NUTRITION
FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996             MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                      13,703,345               8,960,100
<SECURITIES>                                 3,944,019                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  517,404                 172,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  4,290,871               2,267,617
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            22,786,963              11,489,730
<PP&E>                                       2,642,204               1,511,401
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,012,546                 890,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,323,077              12,565,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       10,376,839               5,407,269
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        54,988                  50,565
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,891,250               7,107,779
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,323,077              12,565,613
<SALES>                                     51,577,877              11,246,826
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            51,577,877              11,246,826
<CGS>                                       35,130,375               8,230,989
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               35,130,375               8,230,989
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,017,809               2,441,233
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                  29,570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,728,632                 521,174
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,533,500                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,195,132                 521,174
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,195,132                 521,174
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .94                     .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94                     .13