<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE EIGHT MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 5, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   8-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-05-1998
<CASH>                                          24,984
<SECURITIES>                                    16,080
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,236
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,348
<INVENTORY>                                     20,254
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               111,045
<PP&E>                                         346,279
<DEPRECIATION>                                 202,410
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 257,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,150
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,987
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,778
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   257,233
<SALES>                                        340,588
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               340,588
<CGS>                                          153,969
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  309,662
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,098
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,757
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,341
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,341
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.71