<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 OF CASEY'S GENERAL
STORES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                      12,673,855
<SECURITIES>                                13,953,926<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,679,967
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 32,437,323
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            70,011,379
<PP&E>                                     460,923,281
<DEPRECIATION>                             132,609,514
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             404,834,958
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       82,926,728
<BONDS>                                     81,249,264<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    63,556,842
<OTHER-SE>                                 142,617,836<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               404,834,958
<SALES>                                    954,764,056
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           960,148,480
<CGS>                                      748,183,597
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              748,183,597
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           163,236,038
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,729,760
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             42,999,085
<INCOME-TAX>                                16,232,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         26,767,085
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                26,767,085
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02
<FN>
<F1>short-term investments
<F2>long-term debt, net of current maturities
<F3>retained earnings
</FN>