<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MIDWEST
GRAIN PRODUCTS,  INC. CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000835011
<NAME> MIDWEST GRAIN PRODUCTS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,998
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,008
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     24,148
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,704
<PP&E>                                         210,964
<DEPRECIATION>                                  92,088
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 171,012
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,262
<BONDS>                                         33,933
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                         6,715
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,362<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   171,012
<SALES>                                        108,422
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               108,422
<CGS>                                          101,470
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  106,012<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   194
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (1,404)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,417
<INCOME-TAX>                                       558 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                859 
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       859
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09
<FN>
<F1> Reflects retained earnings and additional paid in captial.
<F2> Reflects cost of sales and selling, general &
     administrative expenses.
</FN>