<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 2, 1999 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-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-02-1999
<CASH>                                              54
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      634
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,009
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,737
<PP&E>                                           2,276
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,249
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              955
<BONDS>                                          1,824
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,992
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,249
<SALES>                                          1,825
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,825
<CGS>                                            1,519
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,519
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  31
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     92
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        56
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24