<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>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     29,286
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,506
<PP&E>                                         140,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 230,827
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,719
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        82,063
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,511
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   230,827
<SALES>                                        462,973
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               462,973
<CGS>                                          312,329
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,935
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               134,865
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,021
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,758
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,697
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,061
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,061
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.55