<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 1, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000100493
<NAME> TYSON FOODS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-01-2000
<CASH>                                              59
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      580
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,029
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,684
<PP&E>                                           2,180
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,031
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,051
<BONDS>                                          1,387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,118
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,031
<SALES>                                          1,779
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,779
<CGS>                                            1,466
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,466
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     2
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  29
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     92
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 57
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        57
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25