<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>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996             JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                      12,843,845               8,960,100
<SECURITIES>                                 1,996,811                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  753,902                 172,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  6,496,916               2,267,617
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            23,176,921              11,489,730
<PP&E>                                       3,141,492               1,511,401
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,090,220                 890,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              26,435,218              12,565,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,493,694               5,407,269
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        55,305                  50,565
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,886,219               7,107,779
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                26,435,218              12,565,613
<SALES>                                     77,858,600              19,189,952
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            77,858,600              19,189,952
<CGS>                                       53,171,169              14,232,764
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               53,171,169              14,232,764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,973,831               3,806,252
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                  35,716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,191,430               1,070,011
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,119,525                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,071,905               1,070,011
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,071,905               1,070,011
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.25                     .37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.25                     .29