<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE LIFECORE
BIOMEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,440,000
<SECURITIES>                                32,843,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,283,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   311,000
<INVENTORY>                                  8,826,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,964,000
<PP&E>                                      13,990,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,899,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              62,431,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,782,000
<BONDS>                                      7,070,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       124,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  51,455,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                62,431,000
<SALES>                                      8,252,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,252,000
<CGS>                                        4,609,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,206,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             335,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,197,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,197,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,197,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)