<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MARCH 23, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-23-1996
<CASH>                                          15,664
<SECURITIES>                                    26,674
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,793
<ALLOWANCES>                                       903
<INVENTORY>                                     28,969
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               118,168
<PP&E>                                         313,160
<DEPRECIATION>                                 186,817
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 251,266
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,055
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,227
<OTHER-SE>                                     167,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   251,266
<SALES>                                        109,959
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               109,959
<CGS>                                           55,523
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  103,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,290
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,199
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,091
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,091
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17