<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE TWELVE WEEKS ENDED MARCH 21, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-21-1998
<CASH>                                          33,276
<SECURITIES>                                    20,640
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,336
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,258
<INVENTORY>                                     17,333
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               115,288
<PP&E>                                         330,917
<DEPRECIATION>                                 197,396
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 251,627
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,218
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,950
<OTHER-SE>                                     160,979
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   251,627
<SALES>                                        110,226
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               110,226
<CGS>                                           50,816
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,977
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,467
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,953
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,514
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,514
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22