<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
     FROM AMERICOLD CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN
     ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY
     28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                          13,702
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,560
<ALLOWANCES>                                       396
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,755      
<PP&E>                                         577,133       
<DEPRECIATION>                                 192,649       
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 531,034       
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,285      
<BONDS>                                        465,834       
<COMMON>                                            50
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            5,753
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (113,759)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   531,034       
<SALES>                                        310,767       
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               310,767       
<CGS>                                          228,762       
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  262,910       
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   701    
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,678      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (9,144)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (2,604)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,540)       
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0  
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,540)       
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   ($1.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   ($1.46)