<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 27, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-27-1999
<CASH>                                           5,439
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,591
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,460
<INVENTORY>                                     21,478
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,703
<PP&E>                                         360,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                 199,986
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,278
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     158,342
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   241,527
<SALES>                                        120,789
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               120,789
<CGS>                                           54,024
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  111,660
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,380
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,506
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,874
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,874
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20