<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     ( THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES BALANCE SHEET ON JULY 31, 1997, AND
THE STATEMENT OF EARNINGS ENDING JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS)
</LEGEND>
       


<CIK>                                        0000922358
<NAME>                        FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. DOLLARS


      

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         14,788
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  63,069
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,234
<INVENTORY>                                    43,112
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               128,641
<PP&E>                                         614,974
<DEPRECIATION>                                 209,238
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 657,076
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          110,530
<BONDS>                                        487,334
<COMMON>                                       103,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (58,417)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   657,076
<SALES>                                        759,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               804,298
<CGS>                                          470,128
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  719,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             45,769
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                23,218
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            23,218
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   23,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.74

<FN>

1.  The Ferrellgas Partners L.P. ("MLP"), both the Common and Subordinated
units are considered to possess the characteristics of Common Stock.  Note that
both are included in the determination of the EPS providing support for such a
classificaiton.

</FN>