<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BLUE
RHINO CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
AND JULY 31, 2000 (UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-2000
<CASH>                                           1,761
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,425
<ALLOWANCES>                                       761
<INVENTORY>                                      5,157
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,458
<PP&E>                                          35,867
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,693
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 118,545
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,934
<BONDS>                                         40,496
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          3
<COMMON>                                             9
<OTHER-SE>                                      58,103<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   118,545
<SALES>                                         33,821
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,821
<CGS>                                           25,757
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,204
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    20
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   570
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,209
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (182)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         2
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (184)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (184)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.03)

<FN>
<F1>OTHER STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY OF $58,103 IS COMPRISED OF ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF
$(20,380), CAPITAL IN EXCESS OF PAR OF $78,582, PREFERRED DIVIDENDS TO BE
DISTRIBUTED OF $128 AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS OF $(227).
</FN>