<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RICA FOODS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       3,290,757
<SECURITIES>                                   101,892
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,017,026
<ALLOWANCES>                                   727,005
<INVENTORY>                                 12,862,456
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            25,850,948
<PP&E>                                      37,107,395
<DEPRECIATION>                               8,613,162
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              63,005,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       21,025,497
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                  4,323,025
<COMMON>                                         7,419
<OTHER-SE>                                   7,018,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                63,005,335
<SALES>                                    103,676,630
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           103,676,630
<CGS>                                       76,346,857
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               76,346,857
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            21,174,627
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,108,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,640,936
<INCOME-TAX>                                   188,663
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,418,173
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,418,173
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16