<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 13, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-13-1998
<CASH>                                          25,398
<SECURITIES>                                    17,809
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,164
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,288
<INVENTORY>                                     17,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               108,555
<PP&E>                                         337,828
<DEPRECIATION>                                 199,567
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,235
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,982
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,860
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,550
<SALES>                                        228,490
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               228,490
<CGS>                                          103,561
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  207,581
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,125
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,652
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,473
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,473
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48