<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2000 OF
CASEY'S GENERAL STORES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000726958
<NAME> CASEY'S GENERAL STORES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-2001
<PERIOD-START> MAY-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 18,418
<SECURITIES> 30,361<F1>
<RECEIVABLES> 4,155
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 55,410
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 114,544
<PP&E> 837,562
<DEPRECIATION> 265,042
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 696,085
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 104,814
<BONDS> 189,921<F2>
38,138
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 298,654<F3>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 696,085
<SALES> 1,024,599
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,026,725
<CGS> 824,632
<TOTAL-COSTS> 824,632
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 149,174
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,861
<INCOME-PRETAX> 47,058
<INCOME-TAX> 17,505
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 29,553
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 29,553
<EPS-BASIC> .60
<EPS-DILUTED> .60
<FN>
<F1>short-term investments
<F2>long-term debt, net of current maturities
<F3>retained earnings
</FN>
</TABLE>