<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           SEP-3-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                APR-1-2000
<CASH>                                              31
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      506
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,046
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,599
<PP&E>                                           2,162
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              801
<BONDS>                                          1,526
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,129
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,917
<SALES>                                          3,570
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,570
<CGS>                                            2,959
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,959
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     3
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  59
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    153
<INCOME-TAX>                                        55
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 93
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        93
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41