<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the John B.
Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Operations for the thirty-nine
weeks ended September 26, 1996 and Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September
26, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1996
<CASH>                                             105
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,010
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     76,071
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,732
<PP&E>                                         127,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,122
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 200,545
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,767
<BONDS>                                         64,202
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            93
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   200,545
<SALES>                                        188,341
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               188,341
<CGS>                                          164,691
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  164,691
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,523
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,895
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,431)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,894)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,537)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,537)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.49)