<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS INDUSTRIES INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 2, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-02-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-02-1994
<CASH>                                          28,436
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,776
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     85,340
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               198,880
<PP&E>                                         241,885
<DEPRECIATION>                                 180,810
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 486,127
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           85,140
<BONDS>                                        140,224
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     170,809
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   486,127
<SALES>                                      1,074,367
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,074,367
<CGS>                                          971,706
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  971,706
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,380
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,606
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,863
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,743
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,743
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0