<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DOANE
PRODUCTS COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,734
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     30,737
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,879
<PP&E>                                         101,195
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (8,112)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 338,333
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,301
<BONDS>                                        160,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     24,160
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   338,333
<SALES>                                        500,708
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               500,708
<CGS>                                          443,578
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  475,797
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                32,219
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,687
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,373)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (855)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,518)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,518)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (7,264)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0