<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31,
1995 AND CONDOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          32,346
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  326,024<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    397,570
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               922,323
<PP&E>                                       2,190,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                 754,377
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,830,623
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          864,355
<BONDS>                                        357,034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        89,975
<OTHER-SE>                                     992,984
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,830,623
<SALES>                                      3,690,667
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,690,667
<CGS>                                        2,126,274
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,180,032
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   151<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              44,833
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                465,953
<INCOME-TAX>                                   184,034
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            281,919
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   281,919
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.

<F2>RELATES TO A PRE-TAX RESTRUCTURING CHARGE OF $16.6 MILLION RELATED 
TO A VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT PROGRAM OFFSET BY A $16.7 MILLION REVERSAL OF 
1994 ACCRUED RESTRUCTURING RESERVES.

</FN>