<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 28, 1998 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>                           OCT-3-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                              34
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      770
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,152
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,135
<PP&E>                                           3,728
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,339
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,795
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              924
<BONDS>                                          2,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,010
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,795
<SALES>                                          3,392
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,392
<CGS>                                            2,862
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,862
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  65
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    108
<INCOME-TAX>                                        40
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 68
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        68
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31