<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995
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-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                              24
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      494
<ALLOWANCES>                                         4
<INVENTORY>                                      1,018
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,572
<PP&E>                                           3,081
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,061
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,498
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              655
<BONDS>                                          1,848
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,498
<SALES>                                          1,547
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,547
<CGS>                                            1,280
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,280
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     8
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  35
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     63
<INCOME-TAX>                                        23
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 43
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        43
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30