<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
National Propane Partners, L.P. condensed consolidated Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 1997 and the condensed consolidated Statement of
Operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                           1,000
       
                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      4,616
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                              13,955
<ALLOWANCES>                                    0
<INVENTORY>                                 9,599
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           30,160
<PP&E>                                    168,871
<DEPRECIATION>                             88,525
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            177,237
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      22,978
<BONDS>                                   138,131
<COMMON>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           0
<PREFERRED>                                     0
<OTHER-SE>                                 13,454
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              177,237
<SALES>                                   165,169
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          165,169
<CGS>                                     130,680
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             130,680
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           24,646
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            1,147
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         12,579
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             3,975
<INCOME-TAX>                                  127
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         3,848
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 0
<CHANGES>                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                3,848
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 .33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 .33
<FN>
Allowances - Receivables are shown net of an allowance of $1,179.
Total receivable balance is $15,134.
</FN>