<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 28, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                              38
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      539
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,619
<PP&E>                                           3,134
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,223
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,420
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              706
<BONDS>                                          1,589
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,603
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,420
<SALES>                                          4,693
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,693
<CGS>                                            3,915
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,915
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  83
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    254
<INCOME-TAX>                                       116
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .63