<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE TWENTY-FOUR WEEKS ENDED JUNE 14,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-14-1997
<CASH>                                          33,395
<SECURITIES>                                    26,433
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,527
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,057
<INVENTORY>                                     19,873
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               122,504
<PP&E>                                         321,216
<DEPRECIATION>                                 196,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 253,123
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,624
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,914
<OTHER-SE>                                     159,289
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   253,123
<SALES>                                        230,910
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               230,910
<CGS>                                          109,971
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  209,888
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,860
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,777
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,083
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,083
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47