<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WESTERN
BEEF, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1995 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                           1,316
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,958
<ALLOWANCES>                                       402
<INVENTORY>                                     16,383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,384
<PP&E>                                          44,263
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  59,145
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,508
<BONDS>                                          6,460
<COMMON>                                           273
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      32,904
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    59,145
<SALES>                                         73,058
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,058
<CGS>                                           55,353
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,353
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,355
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 193
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,157
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,003
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,154
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,154
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21