<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
    THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FERRELLGAS
    PARTNERS, L.P. SUBSIDIARIES BALANCE SHEET ON APRIL 30, 1997 AND THE
    STATEMENT OF EARNINGS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
    ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANICAL 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>                                 FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   APR-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         14943
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102931
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    43807
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               170102
<PP&E>                                         604646
<DEPRECIATION>                                 208359
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 679314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          114393
<BONDS>                                        458780
<COMMON>                                       149068
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (57952)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   679314
<SALES>                                        181426
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192873
<CGS>                                          108018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  168922
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             11170
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                9676
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            9676
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   9676
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.31