<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FERRELLGAS
PARTNERS, L.P.SUBSIDIARIES BALANCE SHEET ON OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND THE STATEMENT
OF EARNINGS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000922358
<NAME>                        FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     US Dollars
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         20809
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  96180
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                    55280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179753
<PP&E>                                         598380
<DEPRECIATION>                                 197301
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 701533
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          176533
<BONDS>                                        451910
<COMMON>                                       116828
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (58278)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   701533
<SALES>                                        156764
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               167860
<CGS>                                          101075
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  162353
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             11602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (10298)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (10298)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (10298)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.33)