<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 29, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                          11,249
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   70,580
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    141,386
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               229,931
<PP&E>                                         407,260
<DEPRECIATION>                                 231,333
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 435,092
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          134,144
<BONDS>                                         26,230
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   435,092
<SALES>                                        883,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               883,156
<CGS>                                          768,703
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  768,703
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,769
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,412
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,391
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,012
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,379
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (376)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,003
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0