TYSON FOODS INC
10-Q, 1997-05-13
POULTRY SLAUGHTERING AND PROCESSING
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<PAGE>
                               UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the quarterly period ended March 29, 1997

     OR

( )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from___________________to_________________

     Commission File Number 0-3400


                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Delaware                          71-0225165
     (State or other jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      incorporation or organization)

         2210 West Oaklawn Drive, Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999
           (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

                              (501) 290-4000
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

          Yes   X         No
               ---            ---


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class                                        Outstanding March 29, 1997
- ------------------------------------         --------------------------
Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value         113,585,666 Shares
Class B Common Stock, $.10 Par Value         102,670,113 Shares







                                  Page 1
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                                   INDEX

                                                                      PAGE

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

          Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
          March 29, 1997 and September 28, 1996                        3-4

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
          for the Three Months and Six Months Ended
          March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996                              5

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
          for the Six Months Ended March 29, 1997
          and March 30, 1996                                             6

          Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements         7-8

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
               Condition and Results of Operations                    9-13

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                      13-14

     Item 2.  Changes in Securities                                     14

     Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                           14

     Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    14-15

     Item 5.  Other Information                                         15

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                       15-16

SIGNATURES                                                              17


















                                     2
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

                       PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (In millions)


                                           (Unaudited)
                                             March 29,    September 28,
ASSETS                                         1997           1996
_______________________________________    ___________    _____________
<S>                                        <C>              <C>
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents              $  100.4         $   36.6
     Accounts receivable                       507.5            547.1
     Inventories:
         Finished and work-in-process          505.6            481.1
         Live poultry and hogs                 349.4            362.2
         Seafood related products               48.2             51.4
         Hatchery eggs and feed                 62.2             63.8
         Supplies                               69.9             68.9
                                             _______          _______
     Total inventories                       1,035.3          1,027.4
     Assets held for sale                       17.4            155.5
     Other current assets                       34.7             43.7
                                             _______          _______
Total Current Assets                         1,695.3          1,810.3

Net Property, Plant, and Equipment           1,878.1          1,869.2

Excess of Investments over
     Net Assets Acquired                       720.0            731.5

Investments and Other Assets                   167.9            133.1
                                            ________         ________
Total Assets                                $4,461.3         $4,544.1
                                            ========         ========











<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                    (In millions except per share data)

                                             (Unaudited)
                                              March 29,     September 28,
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY            1997            1996
_________________________________________    __________     ____________
<S>                                         <C>             <C>
Current Liabilities:
     Notes payable                           $    1.0        $   39.5
     Current portion of long-term debt           37.5           129.2
     Trade accounts payable                     277.9           269.7
     Other accrued liabilities                  287.3           247.4
                                              _______         _______
Total Current Liabilities                       603.7           685.8

Long-Term Debt                                1,751.1         1,806.4

Deferred Income Taxes                           491.9           495.6

Other Liabilities                                14.4            14.6

Shareholders' Equity:
  Common stock ($.10 par value):
   Class A-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 119.5 million shares at
     3-29-97 and 9-28-96                         12.0             8.0
   Class B-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 102.7 million shares at
     3-29-97 and 9-28-96                         10.3             6.8
  Capital in excess of par value                375.3           375.4
  Retained earnings                           1,308.2         1,232.4
  Currency translation adjustment                (2.7)           (2.8)
                                              _______         _______
                                              1,703.1         1,619.8
Less treasury stock, at cost-
  6.0 million shares at 3-29-97 and
  4.8 million shares at 9-28-96                 100.3            75.4
Less unamortized deferred compensation            2.6             2.7
                                             ________        ________
Total Shareholders' Equity                    1,600.2         1,541.7
                                             ________        ________
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $4,461.3        $4,544.1
                                             ========        ========







<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (In millions except per share data)
                                (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                 ___________________   __________________
                                 March 29,  March 30,  March 29, March 30,
                                   1997       1996       1997      1996
                                 ________   ________   ________  ________
<S>                            <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>
Sales                           $1,574.3    $1,587.7   $3,102.2  $3,134.5
Cost of Sales                    1,312.1     1,358.4    2,591.6   2,638.1
                                ________    ________   ________  ________
Gross Profit                       262.2       229.3      510.6     496.4
Expenses:
  Selling                          125.2       140.1      250.3     269.3
  General and administrative        25.3        27.1       48.8      52.7
  Amortization                       6.9         6.9       13.7      13.8
                                ________    ________   ________  ________
Operating Income                   104.8        55.2      197.8     160.6
Other Expense (Income):
  Interest                          26.2        33.1       55.1      68.1
  Foreign currency exchange                     (1.7)                 9.0
  Other                              2.1         0.3      (39.4)     (2.8)
                                ________    ________   ________  ________
Income Before Taxes on Income
  and Minority Interest             76.5        23.5      182.1      86.3
Provision for Income Taxes          28.3         8.7       89.3      31.9
Minority Interest in Net Loss
  of Consolidated Subsidiary                    (0.4)                 3.3
                                ________    ________   ________  ________
Net Income                      $   48.2    $   14.4   $   92.8  $   57.7
                                ========    ========   ========  ========
Average Shares Outstanding         219.0       218.0      219.2     218.0
                                   =====       =====      =====     =====
Earnings Per Share                 $0.22       $0.07      $0.42     $0.26
                                   =====       =====      =====     =====
Cash Dividends Per Share:
  Class A                        $0.0250     $0.0200    $0.0450   $0.0400
                                 =======     =======    =======   =======
  Class B                        $0.0225     $0.0180    $0.0405   $0.0360
                                 =======     =======    =======   =======









<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                               (In millions)
                                (Unaudited)
                                                       Six Months Ended
                                                    March 29,   March 30,
                                                      1997        1996
                                                    _________   _________
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                         $ 92.8       $ 57.7
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   provided by (used for) operating activities:
    Depreciation                                      101.5        106.0
    Amortization                                       13.7         13.8
    Deferred income taxes                              (3.7)        (6.2)
    Foreign currency exchange loss                                   9.0
    Minority interest                                               (3.3)
    (Gain)Loss on dispositions of assets              (39.0)         1.4
    (Increase)decrease in accounts receivable          39.6        (62.6)
    Increase in inventories                            (7.9)      (142.4)
    Increase(decrease)in trade accounts payable         8.2         (1.8)
    Net change in other current assets
       and liabilities                                 47.9          6.2
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities      253.1        (22.2)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment         (121.9)      (119.1)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 189.1          5.5
  Net change in other assets and liabilities          (36.9)         3.5
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities       30.3       (110.1)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Net change in notes payable                         (38.5)       (44.0)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                         79.4        489.3
  Repayments of long-term debt                       (226.4)      (305.7)
  Purchase of treasury shares                         (25.8)        (1.3)
  Other                                                (8.5)        (6.4)
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities     (219.8)       131.9
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash                  0.2          0.5
                                                      _____       ______
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                  63.8          0.1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period       36.6         33.1
                                                     ______       ______
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period           $100.4        $33.2
                                                     ======       ======
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                          $64.4        $64.2
    Income taxes                                      $72.4        $39.4

<FN>
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     6
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (Unaudited)

1.   Accounting Policies

The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Tyson
Foods,  Inc.  (the  "Company"), without audit, pursuant to  the  rules  and
regulations  of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information
and  accounting  policies  and footnote disclosures  normally  included  in
financial  statements  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules
and  regulations. Although the management of the Company believes that  the
disclosures  are adequate to make the information presented not misleading,
these  consolidated  condensed  financial  statements  should  be  read  in
conjunction  with the consolidated financial statements and  notes  thereto
included  in the Company's latest annual report for the fiscal  year  ended
September  28,  1996.  The preparation of consolidated condensed  financial
statements  requires management to make estimates and  assumptions.   These
estimates  and  assumptions  affect the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of  the  consolidated  financial statements and  the  reported  amounts  of
revenues  and  expenses during the reporting period. Actual  results  could
differ  from  those  estimates. In the opinion of  the  management  of  the
Company,  the  accompanying  consolidated  condensed  financial  statements
contain  all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary
to present  fairly  the financial  position  as  of  March 29, 1997  and
September  28, 1996 and the results of operations for the three months  and
six  months ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996, and cash flows for the
six  months  ended  March  29, 1997 and March  30,  1996.  The  results  of
operations  for the three months and six months ended March  29,  1997  and
March 30, 1996, and cash flows for the six months ended March 29, 1997  and
March  30,  1996,  are  not necessarily indicative of  the  results  to  be
expected for the full year.

The  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  the   year  ended
September  28,  1996,  reflect the significant  accounting  policies,  debt
provisions,  borrowing  arrangements, dividend restrictions,  contingencies
and  commitments  of the Company. There were no material  changes  in  such
items  during  the six months ended March 29, 1997, except as disclosed  in
notes 2 and 3 below.


2.   Common Stock Split

On  January 10, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a  three-
for-two   stock   split  in  the  form  of  a  stock   dividend   effective
February  15,  1997 for shareholders of record on February  1,  1997.   All
references  to  numbers  of shares, per share amounts  and  average  shares
outstanding  in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements  have  been
restated.







                                     7
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.


3.   Disposition of Assets

During  1996 the Company announced its intention to sell its beef and  pork
further-processing operations in its effort to return to its core business.
On  November  25,  1996,  the  Company  sold  its  beef  further-processing
operations, known as Gorges/Quik-to-Fix Foods, resulting in a pre-tax  gain
of  $41.0  million which has been recorded in other income. The Company  is
still  in  the  process  of  selling its pork further-processing  plant  in
Holland,  Michigan  and accordingly these assets have  been  classified  as
current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.


4.   Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No.  128,  Earnings  Per  Share,  which  is  required  to  be  adopted   on
December 31, 1997. At that time, the Company will be required to change the
method  currently  used to compute earnings per share and  to  restate  all
prior periods.  Under the new requirements, primary earnings per share will
be renamed basic earnings per share and will exclude the dilutive effect of
stock  options. The impact will not change primary earnings per  share  for
the second quarter or six months ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996.

































                                     8
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations


FINANCIAL CONDITION

For  the  six months ended March 29, 1997, net cash totaling $253.1 million
was   provided   by   all   operating   activities.   Operations   provided
$165.3  million  in cash and $87.8 million was provided by net  changes  in
receivables,  inventories,  payables and  other  items.  Additionally,  the
Company  used cash from operations and proceeds from the sale of  the  beef
division   assets  to  pay  down  debt  by  $185.5  million  and  to   fund
$121.9   million  of   property,  plant   and   equipment  additions.   The
expenditures for property,  plant  and equipment  were related to acquiring
new  equipment and upgrading facilities in  order  to  maintain competitive
standing and position the  Company  for future opportunities.

At  March  29,  1997,  working  capital was $1,091.6  million  compared  to
$1,124.5 million at 1996 fiscal year-end, a decrease of $32.9 million.  The
current  ratio  at March 29, 1997 was 2.8 to 1 compared  to  2.6  to  1  at
September  28, 1996. Working capital has decreased since year-end primarily
due  to  decreases in accounts receivable and assets held for  sale  offset
somewhat  by decreases in the current portion of long-term debt  and  trade
and  notes payable. The Company's foreseeable cash needs for operations and
capital  expenditures  will  continue to be met  through  cash  flows  from
operations and borrowings supported by existing credit facilities  as  well
as  additional credit facilities which the Company believes are  available.
Long-term  debt has decreased $55.3 million while total debt has  decreased
$185.5 million since September 28, 1996. At March 29, 1997, long-term  debt
was 52.3% of total capitalization compared to 54.0% at September 28, 1996.

The   Company  has  two  unsecured  revolving  credit  agreements  totaling
$1.5  billion  which support the Company's commercial paper  program.   The
$1  billion facility expires in May 2001. At March 29, 1997, $949.4 million
was  outstanding under the $1 billion facility consisting of $794.4 million
in  commercial  paper  and  $155.0 million drawn under  the  revolver.  The
$500  million  facility  expires  in  May  1997.  The  Company  anticipates
extending  this  debt facility to May 1998. At March 29, 1997, all  of  the
$500  million  facility   was   available.  Additional  outstanding   long-
term    debt    at  March  29, 1997 consisted of $348.5 million  of  public
debt, $259.6  million of  institutional  notes, $138.7 million in leveraged
equipment  loans  and $54.9 million of other indebtedness.

In  January  1997,  the Company re-instituted its stock repurchase  program
which authorizes the purchase of up to 22.5 million shares (on a post-split
basis)  of  the Company's Class A common stock in open market or  privately
negotiated transactions.  The Company intends to utilize shares repurchased
under  the  program to fund benefit plans and increase treasury  stock.  No
timetable  has  been set for completion of the repurchase program.   During
the  second  quarter  of fiscal 1997 and to date in the  third  quarter  of
fiscal  1997,  the  Company  purchased  approximately  1.225  million   and
525  thousand shares, respectively, in the open market under the repurchase
program.



                                     9
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

In  1996,  the Company announced it was terminating the Tyson  Foods,  Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") and the Tyson Foods, Inc. Profit
Sharing  Plan  and Trust (the "Profit Sharing Plan"), each of  which  holds
shares  of the Company's Class A common stock. During the third quarter  of
fiscal  1997,  in  addition  to  the open  market  purchases,  the  Company
purchased  187,038  shares  from  the ESOP  participants  (subject  to  the
election of participants in the ESOP); however, the Company believes, based
on  elections  made  to date by ESOP participants, that  the  Company  will
purchase  less  than  100,000 additional shares from the  ESOP  and/or  its
participants. The purchase price of these shares has been and will be based
upon  their  fair market value as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.  In
addition  to these possible purchases from the ESOP and/or its participants
and  continued  open  market  repurchases,  the  Company  also  anticipates
purchasing   during   the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  1997   approximately
2.25  million shares of Class A common stock from the Profit Sharing  Plan.
The  purchase  price of these shares will be based upon their  fair  market
value as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales  for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 decreased 0.8% from  the  same
quarter  of fiscal 1996. This decrease is largely attributable to the  sale
of  the  Company's beef and pork further-processing operations  during  the
first  quarter  of  fiscal 1997 and the discontinuance of consolidation  of
Trasgo,  the  Company's Mexican joint venture, at the  end  of  the  second
quarter of fiscal 1996. Excluding sales related to these operations,  total
sales for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 increased 6.1% over last year's
comparable  sales  for  the  same  quarter.  The  Company  has  experienced
intermittent disruption in its Russian markets. Disruption of shipments  to
or  temporary  loss of this market could result in inventory accumulations.
Despite these disruptions, consumer poultry sales accounted for an increase
of  3.5% of the total change in sales for the second quarter of fiscal 1997
as  compared to the same quarter of fiscal 1996. This increase  was  mainly
due  to  a 7.6% increase in average sales prices offset somewhat by a  2.9%
decrease in tonnage.

Mexican Original products and prepared foods sales as a group accounted for
a  decrease of 0.4% of  the total change in sales for the second quarter of
fiscal  1997 as compared to the same quarter of fiscal 1996. This  decrease
was  primarily  due to a 4.8% decrease in tonnage and a  2.8%  decrease  in
average sales prices. Seafood sales accounted for a decrease of 0.1% of the
change in total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared  to
the  same quarter of fiscal 1996. This decrease was due to a 16.7% decrease
in  average sales prices mostly offset by a 18.9% increase in tonnage.  The
seafood  operations  continue to be affected by the  availability  of  some
species  of  fish  as  well as reduced pricing on some products  and  other
regulations  which limit its source of supply. Sales of live swine,  animal
foods,  by-products, and other as a group accounted for a decrease of  0.8%
of  the  change  in total sales for the second quarter of  fiscal  1997  as
compared to the same quarter of fiscal 1996.

Sales for the first six months of fiscal 1997 decreased 1.0% from the  same
period of fiscal 1996. This decrease is largely attributable to the sale of
the Company's beef and pork further-processing operations during the first

                                    10
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

quarter  of fiscal 1997 and the discontinuance of consolidation of  Trasgo.
Excluding sales related to these operations, total sales for the first  six
months of fiscal 1997 increased 6.4% over last year's comparable sales  for
the  same  period. This increase was largely due to consumer poultry  sales
which  accounted for an increase of 3.4% of the change in total  sales  for
the  first  six  months of fiscal 1997 as compared to the  same  period  of
fiscal  1996. This increase in consumer poultry sales was primarily due  to
an  increase in average sales prices of 8.2% offset somewhat by a  decrease
in tonnage of 3.6%.

Mexican Original products and prepared foods sales as a group accounted for
a decrease of 0.4% of the change in total sales for the first six months of
fiscal  1997  as compared to the same period of fiscal 1996. This  decrease
was  primarily due to a 5.0% decrease in tonnage as well as a 2.4% decrease
in average sales prices. Seafood sales accounted for an increase of 0.1% of
the  change  in  total sales for the first six months  of  fiscal  1997  as
compared  to  the same period of fiscal 1996. This increase was  due  to  a
16.7%  increase in tonnage partially offset by a 13.5% decrease in  average
sales prices. Sales of live swine, animal foods, by-products, and other  as
a  group accounted for a decrease of 0.2% of the change in total sales  for
the  first six months of fiscal 1997 as compared to the same period of last
year.

Cost  of  goods  sold for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 decreased  3.4%
compared  to the same quarter of fiscal 1996, which in part is attributable
to  the  sale of the Company's beef and pork further-processing  operations
and the discontinuance of consolidation  of Trasgo. Excluding cost of sales
related to these operations, total cost of sales for the second quarter  of
fiscal  1997 increased 3.5% over last year's comparable cost of  sales  for
the    same   quarter. The cost of ingredients used in  feed  for   poultry
and   swine   and  the ingredients  used  in  Mexican  Original  operations
during  the second quarter of fiscal 1997 decreased in comparison with  the
same quarter of last fiscal year. However, these costs did not moderate  as
much  as  management had anticipated. As a percent of sales, cost of  sales
was  83.3% for the second  quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to 85.6% in  the
second  quarter  of fiscal 1996.

Cost  of goods sold decreased 1.8% for the first six months of fiscal  1997
compared  to  the same period of fiscal 1996, which in part is attributable
to  the  sale of the Company's beef and pork further-processing  operations
and the discontinuance of consolidation  of Trasgo. Excluding cost of sales
related  to these operations, total cost of sales for the first six  months
of fiscal 1997 increased 5.8% over last year's comparable cost of sales for
the   same   period. This increase is mainly the result of the increase  in
sales  and significant increases  in  the cost of ingredients used in  feed
for  poultry  and  swine  and  the ingredients  used  in  Mexican  Original
operations during the first six months of fiscal 1997.   As  a  percent  of
sales,  cost  of  sales was 83.5% for the first six months of  fiscal  1997
compared to 84.2% in the same period of fiscal 1996.

Operating  expenses decreased 9.5% for the second quarter  of  fiscal  1997
from  the same quarter of fiscal 1996. This decrease is mostly due  to  the
sale  of  the beef division assets in the first quarter of fiscal 1997  and
the  discontinuance  of  consolidation of Trasgo.  Selling  expense,  as  a
percent  of sales, decreased to 8.0% for the second quarter of fiscal  1997

                                    11
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

as  compared  to  8.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 1996.  General  and
administrative  expense, as a percent of sales,  was  1.6%  in  the  second
quarter  of  fiscal  1997 compared to 1.7% in the same  period  last  year.
Amortization expense, as a percent of sales, was 0.4% in the second quarter
of fiscal 1997 and 1996.

Operating  expenses decreased 6.8% for the first six months of fiscal  1997
from  the  same  period of fiscal 1996. This decrease in expenses  for  the
first six months is also mainly due to the sale of the beef division assets
in   the  first   quarter   of   fiscal  1997  and  the  discontinuance  of
consolidation   of  Trasgo.   Selling  expense,  as  a  percent  of  sales,
decreased  to 8.1% for  the first six months of fiscal 1997 as compared  to
8.6%  for  the  same  period   of fiscal 1996. General  and  administrative
expense,  as  a  percent of sales, was 1.6%  in  the first  six  months  of
fiscal  1997  compared to 1.7% in the  same period  last year. Amortization
expense was 0.4% of sales in the first  six months of fiscal 1997 and 1996.

Interest  expense  decreased 20.8% for the second quarter  of  fiscal  1997
compared to the same quarter of fiscal 1996. The Company had a lower  level
of  borrowing which decreased the Company's average indebtedness  by  11.6%
over the same period last year due to paying down debt with funds generated
from  operations  and proceeds from the sale of the beef  division  assets.
The  weighted average interest rate of all Company debt decreased  to  6.7%
compared to 7.2% for the same period last year.

Interest  expense decreased 19.1% in the first six months  of  fiscal  1997
compared  to the same period of fiscal 1996. The Company had a lower  level
of  borrowing  which decreased the Company's average indebtedness  by  7.2%
from   the  same  period last year.  The weighted average interest rate  of
all  Company debt  decreased to  6.7% compared to 7.3% for the same  period
last year.

Other  income includes the $41.0 million pre-tax gain from the sale of  the
beef division assets.

The  effective income tax rate for the second quarter and first six  months
of  fiscal 1997 was 37% and 49%, respectively, compared to 37% for the same
periods  of  fiscal  1996.  The first six months  effective  tax  rate  was
impacted  by  the  taxes on the gain from the sale  of  the  beef  division
assets.  Certain costs were allocated to the beef division  which  are  not
deductible for tax purposes, resulting in a higher effective tax rate.  The
1996  effective tax rate included reduced state income taxes, and  the  tax
rate  was  impacted by an adjustment to the liability for  deferred  income
taxes  to  reflect  the Company's current assessment of  tax  contingencies
provided for in prior years.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The  Company  has  a strong financial commitment to environmental  matters.
During   the  first  six  months  of  fiscal  1997  the  Company   invested
approximately $17.2 million in water quality facilities, including  capital
outlays to build and upgrade facilities and day-to-day operations of waste-
water facilities.



                                    12
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE
PURPOSE OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995

The  Company and its representatives may from time to time make written  or
oral  forward-looking statements with respect to their  current  views  and
estimates  of  future economic circumstances, industry conditions,  company
performance  and  financial results. These forward-looking  statements  are
subject  to  a  number of factors and uncertainties which could  cause  the
Company's  actual  results and experiences to differ  materially  from  the
anticipated  results  and  expectations expressed in  such  forward-looking
statements.  The  Company  wishes to caution readers  not  to  place  undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
made.

Among the factors that may affect the operating results of the Company  are
the  following:   (i)  fluctuations in the cost  and  availability  of  raw
materials, such as feed grain costs in relation to historical levels;  (ii)
changes in the availability and relative costs of labor, including contract
growers;  (iii)  market  conditions for finished  products,  including  the
supply  and  pricing of alternative proteins, all of which may  impact  the
Company's  pricing power; (iv) effectiveness of advertising  and  marketing
programs; (v) the ability of the Company to make effective acquisitions and
successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing  operations;
(vi) risks associated with leverage, including cost increases due to rising
interest rates; (vii) changes in regulations and laws, including changes in
accounting  standards, environmental laws, occupational, health and  safety
laws, and laws regulating fishing and seafood processing activities; (viii)
access  to  foreign  markets  together with  foreign  economic  conditions,
including  currency fluctuations; and (ix) the effect of,  or  changes  in,
general economic conditions.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

On  April  13,  1995,  a  purported shareholder's  derivative  action  (the
"Action") was filed by a single shareholder on the Company's behalf in  the
Court   of  Chancery  of  Delaware  against  the  directors  and  principal
shareholders of the Company.  The Action alleged that such persons breached
their  fiduciary duties to the Company as a result of their approval and/or
participation  in  certain transactions in fiscal  year  1994  between  the
Company  and various officers and directors or their affiliates,  including
certain  lease, poultry supply, poultry grow-out, wastewater treatment  and
research and development service arrangements (such transactions being more
fully described under the caption "Certain Transactions" in the Company's
Proxy  Statement  for its 1995 Annual Meeting).  Additionally,  the  Action
alleged  that  the  compensation and expense  reimbursements  paid  to  the
Company's   Senior  Chairman  in  fiscal  year  1994,   and   the   expense
reimbursements paid to him in fiscal year 1993, were excessive.  The Action
sought   various   remedies,  including  (i)  voiding  of  the   challenged
transactions  and an accounting of profits derived therefrom, (ii)  damages
resulting  from the challenged transactions, and (iii) costs, expenses  and
attorney fees.  The Company was named as a nominal defendant in the Action,
but no claim was asserted against it.

                                    13
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

On  May  10,  1995,  the defendants filed a Motion to  Dismiss  the  Action
claiming failure by the plaintiff to (i) make a pre-suit demand for  action
by  the  directors  of the Company, (ii) obtain personal jurisdiction  over
certain  shareholder defendants, and (iii) state a claim upon which  relief
can  be  granted.   On  July  6,  1995, the Court  of  Chancery  entered  a
stipulated  order dismissing the Action without prejudice as to certain  of
the  non-director  defendants.  The Motion to Dismiss as to  the  remaining
defendants  was  held  in abeyance while settlement  discussions  occurred.
These  settlement  discussions  culminated  in  the  parties  executing   a
Stipulation  and  Agreement  of Compromise, Settlement  and  Release  dated
February  5,  1997 (the "Settlement") which proposed to settle the  Action.
The  terms of the settlement included, among other things, that the Company
form  a  committee of outside directors who will review, at least annually,
the  terms and fairness of all transactions between the Company, on the one
hand,  and its directors, officers or their affiliates, on the other, which
are  to  be  disclosed  in  the  Company's  proxy  statements  pursuant  to
Securities  and  Exchange Commission regulations.  The  Court  of  Chancery
approved  the Settlement by Order dated April 14, 1997 after the  Company's
shareholders  had  received  notice of the Settlement  and  were  given  an
opportunity to be heard concerning the Settlement's fairness.

Management  does  not  believe that the Settlement  will  have  a  material
adverse   effect  on  the  Company's  financial  position  or  results   of
operations.


Item 2.    Changes in Securities

           Not Applicable


Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

           Not Applicable


Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The following directors were elected at the annual meeting of shareholders
held January 10, 1997:
<TABLE>
DIRECTORS                     VOTES FOR            VOTES WITHHELD
_________                     _________            ______________
<S>                          <C>                        <C>
Neely Cassady                 746,716,651                985,804
Lloyd V. Hackley              746,708,529                993,926
Gerald M. Johnston            745,709,487              1,992,968
Shelby Massey                 746,714,722                987,733
Joe F. Starr                  746,711,300                991,155
Leland Tollett                746,710,444                992,011
Barbara Tyson                 746,637,065              1,065,390
Don Tyson                     746,706,874                995,581
John Tyson                    746,628,210              1,074,245
Fred S. Vorsanger             746,716,353                986,102
Donald E. Wray                746,709,960                992,495
</TABLE>
                                    14
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

Also,  the  shareholders  voted to approve an amendment  to  the  Company's
Amended  and  Restated Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan which increased  the
Class  A  Common  Stock  authorized for issuance  thereunder  by  4,000,000
shares.  There  were 731,042,506 votes for this amendment, 3,700,644  votes
against and 414,065 votes abstained.

No  other  items  were voted on at the annual meeting  of  shareholders  or
during the quarter ended March 29, 1997.

Item 5.    Other Information

The  Board  of Directors announced a 3-for-2 stock split in the form  of  a
stock  dividend effective February 15, 1997 for shareholders of  record  on
February 1, 1997. Additionally, the Board of Directors increased the  post-
split  quarterly cash dividend to $.025 per share for Class A Common  Stock
and  $.0225  per share of Class B Common Stock, payable March 15,  1997  to
holders of record on March 1, 1997.

The  Board  of Directors announced the appointment of Director John  Tyson,
son of Senior Chairman Don Tyson, to Vice Chairman of the Board.


Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

The exhibits filed with this report are listed in the exhibit index at the
end of this Item 6.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended
March 29, 1997.























                                    15
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX


The following exhibits are filed with this report.

Exhibit No.                                                       Page
_________                                                         ____

3(a) Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as amended
     (previously filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the Company's
     Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the
     Commission on July 8, 1992, Commission File No. 33-49368,
     and incorporated herein by reference).

3(b) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously
     filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on
     Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 1996,
     Commission File No. 0-3400, and incorporated herein by
     reference).

11   Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share Earnings        18-19

27   Financial Data Schedule

































                                    16
<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   TYSON FOODS, INC.

Date:     May 12, 1997         /s/ Wayne Britt
          ------------            ------------------------------
                                  Wayne Britt
                                  Executive Vice President and
                                    Chief Financial Officer

Date:     May 12, 1997         /s/ James G. Ennis
          ------------            ------------------------------
                                  James G. Ennis
                                  Vice President, Controller and
                                    Chief Accounting Officer







































                                    17























































<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 11


                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                     COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                    (In millions except per share data)

                                                      Quarter Ended
                                               ---------------------------
                                                March 29,       March 30,
                                                  1997            1996
                                               ---------------------------

Primary:

     Average common shares outstanding
     during the period                            216.9           217.4

     Net effect of dilutive stock
     options based on the treasury
     stock method using average
     market price                                   2.1              .6
                                                  -----           -----
     Total common and common equivalent
     shares outstanding                           219.0           218.0
                                                  =====           =====
     Net income                                   $48.2           $14.4
                                                  =====           =====
     Earnings per share                           $0.22           $0.07
                                                  =====           =====

Fully Diluted:

     Average common shares outstanding
     during the period                            216.9           217.4

     Net effect of dilutive stock
     options based on the treasury
     stock method using the quarter-
     end market price, if higher
     than average market price                      2.1              .6
                                                  -----           -----
     Total common and common equivalent
     shares outstanding                           219.0           218.0
                                                  =====           =====
     Net income                                   $48.2           $14.4
                                                  =====           =====
     Earnings per share                           $0.22           $0.07
                                                  =====           =====









                                    18
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 11


                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                     COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                    (In millions except per share data)

                                                     Six Months Ended
                                               ---------------------------
                                                March 29,       March 30,
                                                  1997            1996
                                               ---------------------------

Primary:

     Average common shares outstanding
     during the period                            217.2           217.4

     Net effect of dilutive stock
     options based on the treasury
     stock method using average
     market price                                   2.0              .6
                                                  -----           -----
     Total common and common equivalent
     shares outstanding                           219.2           218.0
                                                  =====           =====
     Net income                                   $92.8           $57.7
                                                  =====           =====
     Earnings per share                           $0.42           $0.26
                                                  =====           =====

Fully Diluted:

     Average common shares outstanding
     during the period                            217.2           217.4

     Net effect of dilutive stock
     options based on the treasury
     stock method using the quarter-
     end market price, if higher
     than average market price                      2.3              .6
                                                  -----           -----
     Total common and common equivalent
     shares outstanding                           219.5           218.0
                                                  =====           =====
     Net income                                   $92.8           $57.7
                                                  =====           =====
     Earnings per share                           $0.42           $0.26
                                                  =====           =====









                                    19

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000100493
<NAME> TYSON FOODS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                             100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      508
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,035
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,695
<PP&E>                                           3,064
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              604
<BONDS>                                          1,751
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            22
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,681
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,461
<SALES>                                          3,102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,102
<CGS>                                            2,592
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,592
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  55
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    182
<INCOME-TAX>                                        89
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 93
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        93
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42
        


</TABLE>


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