<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 30, 1997
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                          77,284
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  245,651<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    547,438
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,021,227
<PP&E>                                       2,458,508
<DEPRECIATION>                                 854,616
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,238,290
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          841,333
<BONDS>                                        629,856
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,009,387
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,238,290
<SALES>                                      1,002,469
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,002,469
<CGS>                                          589,281
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  873,286
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                113,501
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,607
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             68,894
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    68,894
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.
</FN>