<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000016104
<NAME> CAGLE'S, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                                    

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-04-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-02-1999
<CASH>                                             114
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    18906
<ALLOWANCES>                                       918
<INVENTORY>                                      35150
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 55666
<PP&E>                                          120804
<DEPRECIATION>                                   53614
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  153289
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            28802
<BONDS>                                          35478
<COMMON>                                          4747
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       73895
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    153289
<SALES>                                         169404
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                169404
<CGS>                                           150017
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   159907
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (2026)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1030
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  10493
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3869
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               6624
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      6624
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39