<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 05, 1998
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 05, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STAEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-05-1998
<CASH>                                          59,617
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  279,296<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    532,141
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               999,151
<PP&E>                                       2,620,832
<DEPRECIATION>                                 971,914
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,256,466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          700,374
<BONDS>                                      1,029,129
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     725,111
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,256,466
<SALES>                                      1,098,076
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,098,076
<CGS>                                          652,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  951,710
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,706
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                123,660
<INCOME-TAX>                                    48,227
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             75,433
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    75,433
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.
</FN>