<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 28, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                             116
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      495
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        989
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,644
<PP&E>                                           3,001
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,144
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,364
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              571
<BONDS>                                          1,699
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,364
<SALES>                                          1,528
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,528
<CGS>                                            1,279
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,279
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  29
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    106
<INCOME-TAX>                                        61
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 45
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        45
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30