<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARY BALANCE SHEET ON JANUARY 31, 1998 AND THE STATEMENT OF EARNINGS ENDING JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000922358 <NAME> Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 13,506 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 100,620 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 26,543 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 151,119 <PP&E> 620,640 <DEPRECIATION> 219,172 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 670,244 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 125,627 <BONDS> 495,340 <COMMON> 93,203 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> (58,518) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 670,244 <SALES> 235,993 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 248,811 <CGS> 130,879 <TOTAL-COSTS> 199,252 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,598 <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,759 <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,759 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 32,759 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.04 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.03