<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     ( THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FERRELLGAS 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>                                           0000922359
<NAME>                                    FERRELLGAS, 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>                                         14,787
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  63,069
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,234
<INVENTORY>                                    43,112
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               129,836
<PP&E>                                         614,974
<DEPRECIATION>                                 209,238
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 653,777
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          108,654
<BONDS>                                        327,334
<COMMON>                                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                     205,435
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   653,777
<SALES>                                        759,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               804,298
<CGS>                                          470,128
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  719,621
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             30,341
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                39,068
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            39,068
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   39,068
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0