<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
     THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AQUAPENN SPRING WATER COMPANY, INC. FOR
     THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
     BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     0.00
       
                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1.000
<CASH>                                         687
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  3,705
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (100)
<INVENTORY>                                    1,534
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               6,494
<PP&E>                                         26,392
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (6,361)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 26,580
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          3,398
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    1,714
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     16,351
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   26,580
<SALES>                                        37,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               38,015
<CGS>                                          28,317
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  33,444
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (328)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             208
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                4,692
<INCOME-TAX>                                   1,905
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            2,787
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   2,787
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .47