EXHIBIT 12

                            HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
                COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                   (in thousands of dollars except for ratios)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                    For the Six Months Ended
                                                      July 2,     July 3,
                                                       1995        1994    
Earnings:

  Income before income taxes                         $156,333     $130,134     

  Add (deduct):

    Interest on indebtedness                           18,565       16,880     
    Portion of rents representative of the
      interest factor(a)                                4,100        3,802     
    Amortization of debt expense                           27           32     
    Amortization of capitalized interest                1,578        1,447
                                                                                

     Earnings as adjusted                            $180,603     $152,295      
                                                                                

Fixed Charges:

    Interest on indebtedness                         $ 18,565     $ 16,880     
    Portion of rents representative of the
      interest factor(a)                                4,100        3,802     
    Amortization of debt expense                           27           32     
    Capitalized interest                                  753        1,968     
                                                                                

     Total fixed charges                             $ 23,445     $ 22,682     
                                                                                
                                                       
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                       7.70         6.71     
                                                                               


NOTE:

 (a)  Portion of rents representative of the interest factor consists of one-
      third of rental expense for operating leases.