<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LANCE, INC. FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED JUNE 26, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-26-1999
<CASH>                                          13,111
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,067
<INVENTORY>                                     24,262
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                91,511
<PP&E>                                         389,616
<DEPRECIATION>                                 206,180
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 319,040
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,180
<BONDS>                                         68,461
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,964
<OTHER-SE>                                     158,166
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   319,040
<SALES>                                        254,934
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               254,934
<CGS>                                          114,721
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  234,272
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 480
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,412
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,697
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,715
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,715
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.42