<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 7,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-07-1996
<CASH>                                          34,804
<SECURITIES>                                    26,548
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,725
<ALLOWANCES>                                       811
<INVENTORY>                                     20,650
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               123,092
<PP&E>                                         323,104
<DEPRECIATION>                                 198,120
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 252,192
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,793
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,981
<OTHER-SE>                                     160,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   252,192
<SALES>                                        329,651
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               329,651
<CGS>                                          161,886
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  306,420
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,389
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,332
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,057
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,057
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57