<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           8,542
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,604
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    213,755
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               296,529
<PP&E>                                         433,706
<DEPRECIATION>                                 207,786
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 566,767
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          201,844
<BONDS>                                        106,240
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,090
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   566,767
<SALES>                                        304,409
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               304,409
<CGS>                                          276,472
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  276,472
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,116
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,359
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,450
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,907
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,543
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,543
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0