<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS YEAR-TO-DATE SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION FISCAL 2001 FIRST QUARTER FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q FILING.

<CIK> 0000066895
<NAME> MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL CORPORATION

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           2,041
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,752
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,122
<INVENTORY>                                     73,558
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               138,570
<PP&E>                                         838,088
<DEPRECIATION>                                 406,891
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 846,162
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,215
<BONDS>                                        214,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           280
<OTHER-SE>                                     383,971
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   846,162
<SALES>                                        120,053
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               120,053
<CGS>                                          122,561
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  134,770
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (1,459)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (54)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,159
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (20,417)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,171)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,246)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,246)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.47)