<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WESTERN BEEF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 3, 1999. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-START> APR-04-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUL-03-1999 <CASH> 12,582 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 7,769 <ALLOWANCES> 715 <INVENTORY> 18,189 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 41,573 <PP&E> 74,668 <DEPRECIATION> 26,355 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 92,113 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,341 <BONDS> 10,476 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 274 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 49,662 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 92,113 <SALES> 162,776 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 162,776 <CGS> 120,143 <TOTAL-COSTS> 120,143 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 39,838 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 541 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,254 <INCOME-TAX> 867 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,387 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,387 <EPS-BASIC> .25 <EPS-DILUTED> .25