SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 8-K
                                CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 16, 1999




                             SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


    VIRGINIA                 0-2258               52-0845861

(State or other           (Commission           (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of            File Number)       Identification No.)
incorporation)


         200 COMMERCE STREET
         SMITHFIELD, VIRGINIA                          23430

 (Address of principal executive                     (Zip Code)
             offices)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (757) 365-3000








ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

      Smithfield Foods, Inc. (the "Registrant") is filing with this report its
audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the fiscal
year ended May 2, 1999.

      A copy of this financial information is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1



                            SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                           SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
                           (Registrant)

                           By:  /s/ Aaron D. Trub
                                ------------------
                                  (Signature)

                                 Aaron D. Trub
                                 Vice President, Chief Financial
                                          Officer and Secretary



Dated:   July 16, 1999