<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HERSHEY
FOODS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JULY 4, 1999 AND
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 4, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000047111
<NAME> HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1999
<CASH>                                          31,749
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  287,967<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    656,771
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,181,514
<PP&E>                                       2,533,642
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,004,121
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,258,912
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          713,718
<BONDS>                                        878,447
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     854,571
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,258,912
<SALES>                                      1,798,391
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,798,391
<CGS>                                        1,074,960
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,339,300<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,455
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                423,636
<INCOME-TAX>                                   148,911
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            274,725
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   274,725
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.93
<FN>
<F1>Balance is net of reserves for doubtful accounts and cash discounts.
<F2>Total includes the gain on the sale of business of $243,785.
</FN>