Soybean oil is extracted by a two-stage process in which up to 85%,
preferably from about 60 to about 75%, of the soybean oil in soybeans is
extracted by mechanical or solvent extraction to produce first extracted
oil and oil-containing meal. The first extracted oil is then refined by
caustic or physical refining. Substantially all of the oil remaining in
the meal is extracted by solvent extraction to produce second extracted
oil and substantially oil-free meal. The second extracted oil may be
transesterified for use in biodiesel fuel.