<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 FINANCIAL DATA
SCHEDULE.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  126,381
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,548
<INVENTORY>                                    197,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               357,755
<PP&E>                                         625,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 270,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 991,226
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          209,820
<BONDS>                                        291,588
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,396
<OTHER-SE>                                     400,249
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   991,226
<SALES>                                        856,772
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               856,772
<CGS>                                          556,048
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  556,048
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,245
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                107,677
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,033
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             72,644
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    72,644
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40