<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-02-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          19,766
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    145,344
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               249,887
<PP&E>                                         415,725
<DEPRECIATION>                                 214,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 478,836
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,800
<BONDS>                                         70,178
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,766
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   478,836
<SALES>                                        842,675
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               842,675
<CGS>                                          758,636
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  758,636
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,945
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,678
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,883
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,657
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,226
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (698)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,528
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0