<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                          14,638
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,209
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    159,833
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               244,609
<PP&E>                                         404,666
<DEPRECIATION>                                 226,748
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          152,253
<BONDS>                                         36,683
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,157
<SALES>                                        579,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               579,610
<CGS>                                          505,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  505,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,106
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,882
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,995
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,018
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,977
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,977
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0