<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR 1997

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE RESTATED RALSTON PURINA COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF 
EARNINGS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 6/30/97, 3/31/97 AND 12/31/96.  
INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THESE BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF 
EARNINGS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                           	                   <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               	                  9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                  SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               	                JUN-30-1997             MAR-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       		            91,400                  86,600                 106,000
<SECURITIES>                                                                 0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          652,600                 640,000                 822,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                                            27,200                  27,200                  27,000
<INVENTORY>                                                            646,100                 622,700                 582,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                     1,503,100               1,453,800               1,605,300
<PP&E>                                                               2,138,900               2,124,200               2,102,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       1,053,500               1,046,400               1,032,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                       4,655,600               4,528,700               4,671,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                1,703,500               1,532,400               1,716,200
<BONDS>                                                              1,412,500               1,448,700               1,411,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  307,800                 314,300                 317,700
<PREFERRED>                                                                  0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                                                11,500                  11,500                  11,500
<OTHER-SE>                                                             849,900                 789,900                 817,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                         4,655,600               4,528,700               4,671,600
<SALES>                                                              3,350,700               2,308,900               1,260,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                     3,350,700               2,308,900               1,260,500
<CGS>                                                                1,699,500               1,175,800                 645,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        1,699,500               1,175,800                 645,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     1,271,700                 792,700                 401,200
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                             0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     129,000                  87,000                  44,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                        250,500                 253,400                 169,700      
<INCOME-TAX>                                                            20,400                  94,700                  63,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    253,500                 173,300                 114,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                                          61,300                  40,800                  23,100
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                              0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                                                    0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           314,800                 214,100                 137,400
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                             2.99                    2.04                    1.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             2.83                    1.92                    1.23
<FN>
F1 LOSS-PROVISION INCLUDED IN OTHER-EXPENSES ABOVE FOR
   9 MOS., 6 MOS. AND 3 MOS. PERIODS
</FN>
        


</TABLE>