<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SAVANNAH FOODS & INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                          14,677
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,635
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     90,908
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               180,395
<PP&E>                                         426,367
<DEPRECIATION>                                 246,374
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 399,071
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,224
<BONDS>                                         26,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,365
<OTHER-SE>                                     199,324
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   399,071
<SALES>                                      1,191,839
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,191,839
<CGS>                                        1,037,502
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,037,502
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                36,829
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,850
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,217
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,081
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (376)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,705
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0