<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 6,
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>                               SEP-06-1997
<CASH>                                          34,262
<SECURITIES>                                    27,154
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,118
<INVENTORY>                                     20,667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,439
<PP&E>                                         318,301
<DEPRECIATION>                                 190,661
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 259,589
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,556
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,916
<OTHER-SE>                                     159,178
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   269,589
<SALES>                                        341,251
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               341,251
<CGS>                                          161,259
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  309,901
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,970
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,979
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,991
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,991
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70