<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF MIDLAND CATTLE COMPANY,
A PARTNERSHIP, WHICH HAS BEEN EXTRACTED FROM THIER DECEMBER 31, 1996
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,812                   1,242
<ALLOWANCES>                                        10                      10
<INVENTORY>                                        105                      43
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,453                   1,545
<PP&E>                                             274                     274
<DEPRECIATION>                                     112                      90
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   2,615                   1,729
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,736                     775
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                         879                     954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     2,615                   1,729
<SALES>                                         64,500                  71,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                65,079                  71,951
<CGS>                                           63,836                  70,725
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,836                  70,725
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,151                   1,185
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 165                     133
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (73)                    (87)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (73)                    (87)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (73)                    (87)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0