<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FISCAL
1994 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000100493
<NAME> TYSON FOODS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           OCT-1-1994
<PERIOD-END>                                OCT-1-1994
<CASH>                                          27,020
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  444,216
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,264
<INVENTORY>                                    754,190
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,261,267
<PP&E>                                       2,509,843
<DEPRECIATION>                                 899,846
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,668,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          539,783
<BONDS>                                      1,381,481
<COMMON>                                        14,815
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,274,608
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,668,000
<SALES>                                      5,110,270
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,110,270
<CGS>                                        4,149,050
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,149,050
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               766,028
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              86,063
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                118,617
<INCOME-TAX>                                   120,745
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,128)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,128)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.01)