<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 9,
1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-09-1995
<CASH>                                          22,850
<SECURITIES>                                    31,213
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,965
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,218
<INVENTORY>                                     29,295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               124,461
<PP&E>                                         364,464
<DEPRECIATION>                                 207,471
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 292,180
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,156
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        25,298
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     200,737
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   292,180
<SALES>                                        334,139
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               334,139
<CGS>                                          165,310
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  312,610
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,631
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,662
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,969
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,969
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .49