<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JULY 2, 1995 AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 2, 1995 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-1995
<CASH>                                          31,914
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  159,315<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    577,929
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               918,081
<PP&E>                                       2,152,547
<DEPRECIATION>                                 707,508
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,845,234
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          728,281
<BONDS>                                        154,089
<COMMON>                                        89,922
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,374,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,845,234
<SALES>                                      1,589,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,589,715
<CGS>                                          927,124
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,416,389
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,993
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                156,333
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,377
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             93,956
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    93,956
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR RETURNS, DISCOUNTS AND ALLOWANCES.
</FN>