<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WHOLE
FOODS MARKET 2000 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-24-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-24-2000
<CASH>                                             395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,836
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     93,858
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               151,721
<PP&E>                                         468,678
<DEPRECIATION>                               (206,272)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 760,399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,641
<BONDS>                                        130,787
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       211,960
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   760,399
<SALES>                                      1,838,630
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,838,630
<CGS>                                        1,205,096
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,205,096
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               540,856
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,093
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 77,585
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,584
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,927
<DISCONTINUED>                                  33,383
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                          375
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,831)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.18)