<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Imperial
Sugar company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,533
<SECURITIES>                                     4,612
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,378
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    187,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               310,245
<PP&E>                                         596,774
<DEPRECIATION>                                 239,093
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,093,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          674,409
<BONDS>                                         20,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       310,452
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,149
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,093,690
<SALES>                                      1,821,231
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,821,231
<CGS>                                        1,682,529
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,682,529
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,656
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (47,650)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (12,973)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (34,677)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (34,677)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.07)