<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>  
          THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE WHOLE FOODS MARKET 1ST QTR FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED
          IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-19-1997
<CASH>                                           8,526
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     42,430
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                74,087
<PP&E>                                         207,621
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 335,038
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,780
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       170,879
<OTHER-SE>                                     (18,954)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   335,038
<SALES>                                        297,646
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               297,646
<CGS>                                          204,331
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  276,950
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,562
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,757
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,377
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,656
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,721
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,721
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24