<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from National
Propane Corporation and subsidiaries (Predecessor) condensed consolidated
Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1996 and condensed consolidated Statement of
Operations for the interim period January 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                 1,000
       
                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         4,561
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 13,304
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    9,441
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              31,985
<PP&E>                                       167,813
<DEPRECIATION>                                86,854
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               134,877
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         29,666
<BONDS>                                      126,181
<COMMON>                                           1
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (45,976)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 134,877
<SALES>                                       88,298
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              88,298
<CGS>                                         64,863
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 64,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6,242
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                4,547
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,922
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            2,625
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2,625
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0
<FN>
1. Allowances - Receivables are shown net of an allowance of $1,372.
   Total receivable balance is $14,476.
</FN>