<ARTICLE>                 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RICA FOODS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>




                                                               

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                       JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                                               2,456,930
<SECURITIES>                                                           761,890
<RECEIVABLES>                                                       11,701,507
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          (872,938)
<INVENTORY>                                                         14,883,011
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    33,935,034
<PP&E>                                                              54,397,939
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     (11,420,064)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      88,441,607
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               36,454,486
<BONDS>                                                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                          2,216,072
<COMMON>                                                                12,849
<OTHER-SE>                                                          25,067,736
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        88,441,607
<SALES>                                                             93,181,924
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    93,181,924
<CGS>                                                               62,602,152
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                       62,602,152
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    24,697,424
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   2,928,950
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      3,328,249
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           262,574
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  3,065,675
<DISCONTINUED>                                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         2,378,735
<EPS-BASIC>                                                             0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             0.21