<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 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-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                             100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      508
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,035
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,695
<PP&E>                                           3,064
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              604
<BONDS>                                          1,751
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,681
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,461
<SALES>                                          3,102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,102
<CGS>                                            2,592
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,592
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  55
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    182
<INCOME-TAX>                                        89
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 93
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        93
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42