EXHIBIT (a)(9)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Imperial Holly:     William F. Schwer-(281) 490-9795
Savannah Foods:     F. Sprague Exley-(912) 651-4961


    Savannah Foods Accepts Revised $20.25 Per Share Bid From Imperial Holly
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

     Savannah, GA, September 12, 1997 - Savannah Foods & Industries, Inc. (NYSE:
SFI), a sugar refiner and distributor based in Savannah, Georgia, and Imperial
Holly Corporation (ASE: IHK), a producer and marketer of refined sugar,
announced they have entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Imperial
Holly will acquire Savannah Foods at a price of $20.25 per share of Savannah
Foods common stock, comprised of 70% cash and 30% Imperial Holly common stock.

     The merger agreement provides that Imperial Holly will commence a cash
tender offer for 50.1% of the Savannah Foods shares at $20.25 per share in cash,
to be followed by a merger in which 30% of the Savannah Foods shares will be
converted into $20.25 of Imperial Holly stock, subject to a collar of $13.25 to
$17.25 per share of Imperial Holly stock, and the remaining shares will be
exchanged for $20.25 in cash.  Stockholders will be permitted to elect between
the cash or stock consideration in the merger with an ultimate split of 70% cash
and 30% stock in the acquisition.

     The transaction is subject to the expiration of the waiting period under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, the tender of 50.1% of the Savannah Foods shares
pursuant to the tender offer, the receipt of financing, and other customary
conditions.  Imperial Holly has received a commitment letter from Lehman
Brothers Commercial Paper Inc. for the funds necessary to complete the
transaction.

     Savannah Foods has terminated its previously announced merger agreement
with Flo-Sun Incorporated and has paid the termination fee due under that
agreement.

     William W. Sprague III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savannah
Foods, will be President and CEO of Savannah Foods, which will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of Imperial Holly.  He also will serve on the Board of
Directors of Imperial Holly with R. Eugene Cartledge, the Chairman of Savannah
Foods.  Savannah Foods headquarters will remain in Savannah.

 
     Mr. Cartledge said, "We are thrilled to be able to provide our stockholders
with an opportunity to realize a significant cash price for their shares.  At
the same time, they will be able to benefit from the strengths to be achieved by
combining Savannah Foods and Imperial Holly."

     William Sprague, President and Chief Executive Officer of Savannah Foods,
said, "The combination of Savannah Foods and Imperial Holly is good for our
stockholders, good for our employees, and good for business.  Our complementary
geographic presence will enable us to provide even better service to our
customers.  I am pleased to participate in this exciting opportunity."

     James C. Kempner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Holly,
said, "We have always had great respect for Savannah Foods and its people.  Both
of our companies share the common values of family leadership, and both have
prospered by offering customers value and by dealing with our suppliers in a
fair and equitable manner.  With our industry undergoing rapid change, this
shared heritage will be particularly important in the years to come.  I look
forward to working with Bill Sprague in combining the two companies."

     Savannah Foods operates three cane sugar refineries located in Georgia,
Louisiana and Florida, and four sugar beet factories located in Michigan.
Imperial Holly Corporation, which is headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, near
Houston, operates a cane refinery and eight sugar beet factories located in
Montana, Wyoming, Texas and California.

                                       2