<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER
23, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-23-2000
<CASH>                                           2,124
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,110
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,245)
<INVENTORY>                                     24,456
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,821
<PP&E>                                         406,354
<DEPRECIATION>                                (229,664)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 313,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,928
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,125
<OTHER-SE>                                     150,858
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   313,191
<SALES>                                        428,736
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               428,736
<CGS>                                          209,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  399,609
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,345
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,391
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,709
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,709
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.61