<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED JUNE 24, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-24-2000
<CASH>                                           4,534
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,198
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (1,694)
<INVENTORY>                                     25,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,104
<PP&E>                                         400,102
<DEPRECIATION>                                (223,929)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 314,167
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,958
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,125
<OTHER-SE>                                     149,787
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   314,167
<SALES>                                        145,128
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,128
<CGS>                                           70,314
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  134,295
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,098
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,006
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,709
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,297
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,297
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22