WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000812128
<NAME>                        Sanderson Farms, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1
<CURRENCY>                                     US DOLLARS
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  1 Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1.0
<CASH>                                         3,626
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  31,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                   249
<INVENTORY>                                    42,879
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               85,192
<PP&E>                                         332,985
<DEPRECIATION>                                 153,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 265,671
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          25,527
<BONDS>                                        95,695
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       14,374
<OTHER-SE>                                     115,108
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   265,671
<SALES>                                        521,394
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               521,394
<CGS>                                          469,429
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  489,572
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               86
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               240
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             7,721
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                24,356
<INCOME-TAX>                                   9,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            15,256
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   15,256
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.06