<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
National Propane Partners, L.P. condensed consolidated Balance Sheet
as of September 30, 1997 and the condensed consolidated Statement of
Operations for the interim period January 1, 1997 through September 30, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                           1,000
       
                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                           SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      2,082
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                               7,529
<ALLOWANCES>                                    0
<INVENTORY>                                13,452
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           26,158
<PP&E>                                    167,182
<DEPRECIATION>                             86,747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            173,197
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      15,336
<BONDS>                                   138,150
<COMMON>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           0
<PREFERRED>                                     0
<OTHER-SE>                                 17,772
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              173,197
<SALES>                                   117,987
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           93,799
<CGS>                                      93,799
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              17,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              782
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            9,306
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          2,303
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               165
<INCOME-TAX>                                2,138
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             0
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 0
<CHANGES>                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                2,138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                0.18
<FN>
Allowances - Receivables are shown net of an allowance of $1,157.
Total receivable balance is $8,686.
</FN>