<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATIO'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000047111
<NAME> HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         118,078
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  352,750<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    602,202
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,279,980
<PP&E>                                       2,572,268
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,061,808
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,346,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          712,829
<BONDS>                                        878,213
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     918,677
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,346,652
<SALES>                                      3,970,924
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,970,924
<CGS>                                        2,354,724
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,168,779<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              74,271
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                727,874
<INCOME-TAX>                                   267,564
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            460,310
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   460,310<F3>
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.26
<FN>
<F1>
BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.
<F2>
TOTAL INCLUDES THE GAIN ON THE SALE OF BUSINESS OF $243,785.
<F3>
EXCLUDING THE GAIN ON SALE OF BUSINESS, NET INCOME WAS $295,294, OR $2.11
PER SHARE - BASIC AND $2.09 PER SHARE - DILUTED.
</FN>