<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1995
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1, 1995
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-1995
<CASH>                                          27,274
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  355,651<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    525,627
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,054,267
<PP&E>                                       2,198,680
<DEPRECIATION>                                 736,383
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,988,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,307,434
<BONDS>                                        154,005
<COMMON>                                        89,975
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     932,673
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,988,917
<SALES>                                      2,570,816
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,570,816
<CGS>                                        1,499,567
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,250,542
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,417
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                289,857
<INCOME-TAX>                                   113,774
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            176,083
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   176,083
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR RETURNS, DISCOUNTS AND ALLOWANCES.
</FN>