
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL FOODS CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           3,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,359
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,509
<INVENTORY>                                    174,193
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               324,604
<PP&E>                                         479,765
<DEPRECIATION>                                 211,304
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 780,472
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          162,152
<BONDS>                                        196,869
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,698
<OTHER-SE>                                     348,268
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   780,472
<SALES>                                        806,352
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               806,352
<CGS>                                          533,260
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  533,260
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   349
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,640
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,435
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,205
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,205
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.71
<FN>
<F1>Unusual Item:  Includes chargs of $20 million relating to adopting SFAS No. 121
and $5 million for restructuring costs.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
