<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2000 OF
CASEY'S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000726958
<NAME> CASEY'S GENERAL STORES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          18,418
<SECURITIES>                                    30,361<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,155
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     55,410
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               114,544
<PP&E>                                         837,562
<DEPRECIATION>                                 265,042
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 696,085
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          104,814
<BONDS>                                        189,921<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           38,138
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     298,654<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   696,085
<SALES>                                      1,024,599
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,026,725
<CGS>                                          824,632
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  824,632
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               149,174
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,861
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,058
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,505
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,553
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,553
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .60
<FN>
<F1>short-term investments
<F2>long-term debt, net of current maturities
<F3>retained earnings
</FN>