<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 27, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                              24
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      590
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        915
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,565
<PP&E>                                           3,205
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,284
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              749
<BONDS>                                          1,492
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,635
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,404
<SALES>                                          1,521
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,521
<CGS>                                            1,260
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,260
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  27
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     71
<INCOME-TAX>                                        26
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 45
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        45
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21