<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>   5
<LEGEND>
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
(Columnar Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FIRST QUARTER 1997 FORM 10-QSB OF RED OAK HEREFORD FARMS, INC., AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED
THEREIN.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                               <C>                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS                     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                       JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                         MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                     4,290                     
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          1,049,126                   
<ALLOWANCES>                                                   0     
<INVENTORY>                                            1,257,492                   
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       2,346,254                   
<PP&E>                                                   187,452                    
<DEPRECIATION>                                           (58,936)                   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         2,536,184                   
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                  1,796,632                   
<BONDS>                                                  777,647                    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0    
<PREFERRED>                                                    0 
<COMMON>                                                  11,234                    
<OTHER-SE>                                               (49,329)                   
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           2,536,184                   
<SALES>                                                8,464,897                   
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       8,464,897                   
<CGS>                                                 (8,917,106)                  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  0   
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        (253,959)                   
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0    
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       (48,674)                   
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         (754,842)                   
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            0 
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                            (754,842)                   
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              (0.07)                    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              (0.07)                       





        

</TABLE>