<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 29, 1996 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                              18
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      582
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       1060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  1690
<PP&E>                                            3100
<DEPRECIATION>                                    1143
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    4563
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              756
<BONDS>                                           1791
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                        1514
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      4563
<SALES>                                           4763
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  4763
<CGS>                                             4037
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     4037
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     6
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 101
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    110
<INCOME-TAX>                                        41
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 69
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        72
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50