<ARTICLE>                              5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
National Propane Partners, L.P. condensed consolidated Balance Sheet
as of March 31, 1998 and the condensed consolidated Statement of
Operations for the interim period January 1, 1998 through March 31, 1998
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                           1,000
       
                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                           MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         845
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                               13,565
<ALLOWANCES>                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                  7,366
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            25,234
<PP&E>                                     170,110
<DEPRECIATION>                              90,724
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             170,860
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       17,950
<BONDS>                                    137,404
<COMMON>                                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,947
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               170,860
<SALES>                                     46,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            46,130
<CGS>                                       32,722
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,722
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             6,487
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               279
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,584
<INCOME-TAX>                                    50
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          5,534
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                 5,534
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 0.47
        
<FN>
Allowances-Receivables are shown net of an allowance of $1,278. Total
receivable balance is $14,843.
</FN>