<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED 
          FROM THE WHOLE FOODS MARKET 2ND QTR FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED 
          IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-07-1996
<CASH>                                           2,564
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     28,150
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                41,581
<PP&E>                                         129,433
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 220,841
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,007
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        80,458
<OTHER-SE>                                      32,056
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   220,841
<SALES>                                        316,597
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               316,597
<CGS>                                          213,935
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,935
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                93,310
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,343
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,009
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,404
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,605
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,605
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32