<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AGCO CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          27,207
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,341,992
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    429,704
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,472,020
<PP&E>                                         143,696
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,206,220
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          900,009
<BONDS>                                        632,459
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           519
<OTHER-SE>                                     610,138
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,206,220
<SALES>                                        453,884
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               470,692
<CGS>                                          360,144
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  360,144
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,979
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,161
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,689
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,867
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,595
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,503)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,092
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31