<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF APRIL 4, 1999
AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000047111
<NAME> HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                          55,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  221,839<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    568,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,025,664
<PP&E>                                       2,503,207
<DEPRECIATION>                                 969,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,103,462
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          574,185
<BONDS>                                        879,095
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     843,395
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,103,462
<SALES>                                        945,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               945,152
<CGS>                                          562,164
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  585,133<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                341,579
<INCOME-TAX>                                   116,909
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            224,670
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   224,670
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.57
<FN>
<F1>BALANCE IS NET OF RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND CASH DISCOUNTS.
<F2>TOTAL INCLUDES A GAIN ON SALE OF BUSINESS OF $243,785.
</FN>