<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE LIFECORE
BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 3
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000028626
<NAME> LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         931,000
<SECURITIES>                                35,086,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,636,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   298,000
<INVENTORY>                                  8,574,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            29,621,000
<PP&E>                                      13,488,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,751,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              62,782,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,021,000
<BONDS>                                      7,142,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       121,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  51,498,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                62,782,000
<SALES>                                      3,568,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,568,000
<CGS>                                        2,098,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,621,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             156,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (654,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (654,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (654,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.05)