<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          10,178
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,713
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    195,721
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               280,367
<PP&E>                                         435,165
<DEPRECIATION>                                 214,297
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 535,880
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          188,321
<BONDS>                                         90,611
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           17,365
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     152,398
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   535,880
<SALES>                                        555,213
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               555,213
<CGS>                                          502,325
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  502,325
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,175
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,665
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,308
<INCOME-TAX>                                       808
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0