TYSON FOODS INC
10-Q, 1999-08-17
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 July 3, 1999

     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 July 3, 1999
- ------------------------------------         -------------------------
Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value            126,939,806 Shares
Class B Common Stock, $.10 Par Value            102,645,423 Shares








                                  Page 1
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                                   INDEX

                                                                      PAGE
                                                                      ----
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

          Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
          July 3, 1999 and October 3, 1998                               3

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
          for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended
          July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998                                 4

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
          for the Nine Months Ended
          July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998                                 5

          Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements         6-9

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations                     9-14

     Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About
              Market Risks                                           14-16

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                         17

     Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds                 17

     Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                           17

     Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders       17

     Item 5.  Other Information                                         18

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                          18

     SIGNATURES                                                         19















                                     2
<PAGE>
                       PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (In millions except per share amounts)
                                               (Unaudited)
                                                 July 3,     October 3,
                                                  1999          1998
ASSETS                                           ________     _________
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $   55.0     $   46.5
  Accounts receivable                               612.0        631.0
  Inventories                                     1,027.2        984.1
  Assets held for sale                              184.8         65.2
  Other current assets                               46.8         38.3
                                                  _______      _______
Total Current Assets                              1,925.8      1,765.1
Net Property, Plant, and Equipment                2,211.1      2,256.5
Excess of Investments over Net Assets Acquired    1,014.3      1,035.8
Investments and Other Assets                        209.4        185.1
                                                 ________     ________
Total Assets                                     $5,360.6     $5,242.5
                                                 ========     ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Notes payable                                  $   82.3     $   84.7
  Current portion of long-term debt                 226.7         77.6
  Trade accounts payable                            365.4        330.6
  Other accrued liabilities                         527.3        338.1
                                                  _______      _______
Total Current Liabilities                         1,201.7        831.0
Long-Term Debt                                    1,640.1      1,966.6
Deferred Income Taxes                               357.7        434.4
Other Liabilities                                    52.8         40.1
Shareholders' Equity:
  Common stock ($.10 par value):
   Class A-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 137.9 million shares at
     7-3-99 and 10-3-98                              13.8         13.8
   Class B-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 102.7 million shares at
     7-3-99 and 10-3-98                              10.3         10.3
  Capital in excess of par value                    740.2        740.5
  Retained earnings                               1,566.6      1,394.2
  Other accumulated comprehensive income             (4.1)        (1.0)
                                                  _______      _______
                                                  2,326.8      2,157.8
  Less treasury stock, at cost-
    11.1 million shares at 7-3-99 and
    9.7 million shares at 10-3-98                   216.4        185.1
  Less unamortized deferred compensation              2.1          2.3
                                                 ________     ________
Total Shareholders' Equity                        2,108.3      1,970.4
                                                 ________     ________
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       $5,360.6     $5,242.5
                                                 ========     ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                     3
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (In millions except per share data)
                                (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                 __________________      _________________

                                 July 3,    June 27,    July 3,   June 27,
                                  1999        1998       1999       1998
                                 ________   ________    _______   ________

Sales                           $1,881.3    $1,953.6   $5,547.3   $5,345.2
Cost of Sales                    1,531.1     1,645.2    4,569.6    4,507.3
                                 -------     -------    -------    -------
Gross Profit                       350.2       308.4      977.7      837.9
Expenses:
  Selling                          150.2       156.0      441.9      436.8
  General and administrative        34.2        36.5       99.9      101.4
  Loss on sale of seafood assets    16.6         -         16.6        -
  Amortization                       9.2         8.3       26.7       22.5
                                 -------     -------    -------    -------
Operating Income                   140.0       107.6      392.6      277.2
Other Expense (Income):
  Interest                          30.5        37.6       93.7      102.8
  Foreign currency exchange         (0.5)                  (4.5)
  Other                             (2.2)       (4.0)      (4.9)      (7.8)
                                  -------    -------    -------    -------
Income Before Taxes on Income      112.2        74.0      308.3      182.2
Provision for Income Taxes          40.7        27.4      110.5       67.4
Minority Interest                    3.1                    9.0
                                  -------    -------    -------    -------
Net Income                      $   68.4    $   46.6   $  188.8  $   114.8
                                  =======    =======    =======    =======
Basic Average Shares Outstanding    229.5      230.7      230.3      225.1
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Basic Earnings Per Share            $0.30      $0.20      $0.82      $0.51
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Diluted Average Shares Outstanding  230.7      232.5      231.5      226.4
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Diluted Earnings Per Share          $0.30      $0.20      $0.82      $0.51
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Cash Dividends Per Share:

  Class A                         $0.0250    $0.0250    $0.0750    $0.0750
  Class B                         $0.0225    $0.0225    $0.0675    $0.0675










The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                     4
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                               (In millions)
                                (Unaudited)
                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                      _________________

                                                     July 3,       June 27,
                                                      1999           1998
                                                     _______       _______
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                         $188.8       $114.8
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation                                      191.7        175.3
    Amortization                                       26.7         22.6
    Loss on sale of seafood assets                     16.6          -
    Foreign currency exchange                          (4.5)         -
    Deferred income taxes                             (76.2)       (61.4)
    Gain on dispositions of assets                     (0.3)        (3.2)
    (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable         (1.8)        20.3
    (Increase) decrease in inventories                (74.4)        15.3
    Increase in trade accounts payable                 43.2          7.9
    Net change in other current assets
       and liabilities                                169.0         61.2
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Provided by Operating Activities                 478.8        352.8
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Net cash paid for acquisitions                        -         (257.4)
  Additions to property, plant and equipment         (279.8)      (203.1)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment  60.0        130.6
  Net change in other assets and liabilities          (25.8)       (12.9)
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Used for Investing Activities                   (245.6)      (342.8)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Net change in notes payable                          (2.4)       (77.2)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                         73.5      1,091.9
  Repayments of long-term debt                       (250.9)      (987.9)
  Purchases of treasury shares                        (34.8)       (16.4)
  Other                                               (11.6)       (14.3)
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Used for Financing Activities                   (226.2)        (3.9)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash                  1.5         (0.1)
                                                      _____       ______
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                   8.5          6.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period       46.5         23.6
                                                     ______       ______
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period            $55.0        $29.6
                                                     ======       ======
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                          $94.0       $119.0
    Income taxes                                      $67.1       $ 62.4



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                     5
<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
October  3,  1998.  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   July  3,  1999   and
October 3, 1998 and the results of operations for the three months and nine
months  ended  July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998 and cash flows for  the  nine
months ended July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998. The results of operations  for
the  three months and nine months ended and cash flows for the nine  months
ended July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of  the
results to be expected for the full year.

Effective  for  fiscal  1999, the Company adopted  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income"  (SFAS  No.
130).   The provisions of SFAS No. 130 require companies to classify  items
of  comprehensive  income  by their nature in  a  financial  statement  and
display  the  accumulated balance of other comprehensive income  separately
from  retained  earnings  and  capital  in  excess  of  par  value  in  the
consolidated  financial  statements.  The  only  difference  between  total
comprehensive income and net income reported on the Consolidated  Condensed
Statements  of Income arises from foreign currency translation  adjustment.
The Company's total comprehensive income for the three months ended July 3,
1999  and  June 27, 1998 was $66.1 million and $46.2 million, respectively.
The Company's total comprehensive income for the nine months ended July  3,
1999 and June 27, 1998 was $185.7 million and $114.8 million, respectively.

Statement  of  Financial Accounting Standards No. 131,  "Disclosures  about
Segments  of an Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS No. 131) requires
public business enterprises to report financial and descriptive information
about  its reportable segments. SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal  1999,
but need not be applied to interim financial statements in the initial year
of  adoption.   The  Company  recently  announced  a   new   organizational
structure  which  will realign the Company into groups designed around  the


                                     6
<PAGE>
marketplace  and  the  Company's customers  and  consumers.  Management  is
currently  evaluating  its new organizational structure  to  determine  its
reportable segments.

In  June  1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.  133,  "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and  Hedging  Activities"
(SFAS No. 133). The provisions of SFAS No. 133 requires all derivatives  to
be  recorded  on the balance sheet at fair value. SFAS No. 133  establishes
"special accounting" for fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, and hedges of
foreign  currency  exposures  of  net investments  in  foreign  operations.
Derivatives  that  are not hedges must be adjusted to  fair  value  through
income.   If  the  derivative is a hedge, depending on the  nature  of  the
hedge,  changes  in  the fair value of derivatives will  either  be  offset
against  the  change in fair value of the hedged item through  earnings  or
recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income  until  the  hedged  item   is
recognized  in earnings.  The ineffective portion of a derivative's  change
in  fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings. The Company  has
not  yet  determined  what  the effect of this statement  will  be  on  the
earnings  and  financial position of the Company when it becomes  effective
for fiscal 2001.

The   Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  the  fiscal year
ended  October  3, 1998, 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 nine months ended July 3, 1999, except as  disclosed  in
these notes.































                                     7
<PAGE>
2.   Earnings Per Share

The  following  table  sets  forth the computation  of  basic  and  diluted
earnings per share for the three and nine months ended:

                                    (In millions except per share amounts)
                                    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended

                                     July 3,  June 27,   July 3,  June 27,
                                       1999     1998       1999     1998
                                     -------  --------   -------  --------
Numerator:   Net Income               $68.4     $46.6    $188.8    $114.8
                                      =====     =====    ======    ======
Denominator:
   Denominator for basic
     earnings per share-
     weighted average shares          229.5     230.7     230.3     225.1

   Effect of dilutive securities:
     Employee stock options             1.2       1.8       1.2       1.3
                                      -----     -----     -----     -----
   Denominator for diluted
      earnings per share-
      adjusted weighted average
      shares and assumed conversions  230.7     232.5     231.5     226.4
                                      =====     =====     =====     =====
Basic earnings per share              $0.30     $0.20     $0.82     $0.51
                                      =====     =====     =====     =====
Diluted earnings per share            $0.30     $0.20     $0.82     $0.51
                                      =====     =====     =====     =====

3.   Inventories

Inventories, valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out)  or  market,
consist of the following:
                                                (In millions)
                                          July 3,         October 3,
                                           1999             1998
                                         ---------        ----------
     Finished and work-in-process        $  520.7           $410.4
     Live poultry and hogs                  357.7            374.2
     Seafood related products                 -               49.2
     Hatchery eggs and feed                  61.0             71.5
     Supplies                                87.8             78.8
                                         _________          ______
     Total                               $1,027.2           $984.1
                                         =========          ======

4.   Dispositions

Effective  July 17, 1999, the Company completed the sale of the  assets  in
its  seafood  division, Tyson Seafood Group, in two separate  transactions.
The  analog business was sold to Bumble Bee Seafoods, Inc., a wholly  owned
subsidiary  of  International Home Foods, Inc. of Parsippany,  New  Jersey.
The  remaining  seafood assets, which includes vessels, associated  fishing
rights and shoreside  processing plants, were sold to TT Acquisition, Inc.,
a  wholly  owned subsidiary of  Trident  Seafoods  Corporation of  Seattle,

                                     8
<PAGE>
Washington.  Under  the  terms  of both  agreements, the  Company  received
proceeds  of  approximately $180 million, which  will  be  used  to  reduce
indebtedness. The Company recognized a loss of approximately $16.6  million
($10.5 million after-tax) on the sale of these assets.

5.   Assets held for sale

Effective  December  31,  1998, the Company sold Willow  Brook  Foods,  its
integrated  turkey production and processing business, and its Albert  Lea,
Minn., processing facility which primarily produced the Schweigert brand of
sausages,  lunch and deli meats, to PLF Meats, Inc., a subsidiary  of  MCMI
Food,  Inc. of San Antonio, Texas (collectively, the "Willow Brook  Sale").
In  addition, on  December 31, 1998, the  Company  sold  its  National  Egg
Products Company operations in Social Circle, Ga. to Rose Acre Farms,  Inc.
of  Seymour,  Indiana (the "NEPCO Sale").  These facilities were  sold  for
amounts which approximated their carrying values.  These operations,  which
were reflected in assets held for sale at October 3, 1998, were acquired as
part  of  the acquisition of Hudson Foods, Inc. ("Hudson") in January  1998
(the  "Hudson Acquisition"). The remaining balance of assets held for  sale
at  July  3,  1999 relates to facilities identified for closing  under  the
Company's restructuring program which are expected to be disposed of within
the next twelve months and the seafood assets which were sold subsequent to
July 3, 1999.


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

FINANCIAL CONDITION

For the nine months ended July 3, 1999 net cash totaling $478.8 million was
provided by all operating activities. Operations provided $342.8 million in
cash  and  $136  million  was  provided  by  net  changes  in  receivables,
inventories,  payables  and  other  items.  The  Company  used  cash   from
operations  to  fund  $279.8  million  of  property,  plant  and  equipment
additions  and  pay  down debt, net of borrowings, by $179.8  million.  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  July  3,  1999, working capital was $724.1 million compared  to  $934.1
million  at 1998 fiscal year-end, a decrease of $210 million.  The  current
ratio at July 3, 1999 was to 1.60 to 1 compared to 2.12 to 1 at October  3,
1998.  Working  capital  has  decreased since  year-end  primarily  due  to
increases   in   current  liabilities.   The  increase  in  other   current
liabilities  includes income taxes payable from the Willow Brook  Sale  and
the  NEPCO  Sale  that  were previously provided  for  and  reclassed  from
deferred income taxes payable. The increase in current portion of long-term
debt  relates  to  timing  of debt payments.   Finished  inventories   have
increased  since year end mainly due to seasonal demand during  the  summer
months.  Assets  held for sale have increased since year end  due  to  $180
million  of  seafood assets sold subsequent to July 3,  1999.  Total  debt,
including current portion of long-term debt, has decreased since year  end.
At  July 3, 1999, total  debt was  48% of total capitalization  compared to
51.9%  at  October  3, 1998. 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

                                     9
<PAGE>
facilities  as  well  as  additional credit facilities  which  the  Company
believes are available.

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement totaling $1 billion
which  supports  the Company's commercial paper program.  This  $1  billion
facility  expires  in  May  2002.  At July  3,  1999,  $357.8  million  was
outstanding under this $1 billion facility consisting of $337.8 million  in
commercial  paper  and  $20  million drawn under the  revolver.  Additional
outstanding long-term debt at July 3, 1999 consisted of $879.1  million  of
public  debt,  $164.8  million of institutional notes,  $158.5  million  in
leveraged  equipment  loans and $79.9 million of  other  indebtedness.  The
Company  may  use  funds  borrowed under its revolving  credit  facilities,
commercial  paper  program  or  through the  issuance  of  additional  debt
securities  from  time to  time in  the future to  finance  acquisitions as
opportunities may arise, to refinance other indebtedness or capital  leases
of the Company and for other general corporate purposes.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales  for  the third quarter of fiscal 1999 decreased 3.7% from  the  same
period  of fiscal 1998. This decrease is mainly due to the sale of non-core
businesses prior to the third quarter of fiscal 1999 offset somewhat by the
inclusion  of Tyson de Mexico on a consolidated basis. Third quarter  sales
were  also  impacted by an industry-wide over supply of chicken  and  other
meats  which  affected  sales  prices.  This over  supply  is  expected  to
continue  in  the  near  future and as a result,  the  Company  anticipates
cutting  back  chicken production.  Consumer  poultry  sales accounted  for
an  increase  of 2.9% of the total change in sales for the third quarter of
fiscal  1999  as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. This  increase
was  due  to an 8.5% increase in tonnage offset somewhat by a 4.5% decrease
in average sales prices.

The  prepared foods group sales accounted for an increase of  0.3%  of  the
total  change in sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 as compared  to
the  same period of fiscal 1998. This increase was primarily due to a  6.1%
increase  in  tonnage and a 2.7% increase in average sales prices.  Seafood
sales accounted for a decrease of 0.5% of the change in total sales for the
third quarter of fiscal 1999 as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998.
This  decrease was due to a 21.6% decrease in tonnage offset slightly by  a
3.3% increase in average sales prices.  Sales of live swine and other as  a
group accounted for a decrease of 6.4% of the change in total sales for the
third quarter of fiscal 1999 as compared to the same period of fiscal 1998.
This decrease is mainly due to the Willow Brook Sale and the Nepco Sale  at
the end of the first quarter of fiscal 1999.


Sales for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 increased 3.8% from the same
period  of  fiscal 1998. This increase is mainly due to volume gained  from
the  Hudson  Acquisition  and  the  inclusion  of  Tyson  de  Mexico  on  a
consolidated basis. Consumer  poultry  sales accounted for  an increase  of
7.1%  of the total change in sales for the first nine months of fiscal 1999
as  compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. This increase was due to  a
16.1%  increase  in tonnage offset somewhat by a 6.3% decrease  in  average
sales prices.



                                    10
<PAGE>
The  prepared foods group sales accounted for an increase of  0.3%  of  the
total  change in sales for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 as compared
to  the same period of fiscal 1998. This increase was primarily due to a 9%
increase  in  average sales prices slightly offset by a  0.4%  decrease  in
tonnage.  Seafood sales accounted for an increase of 0.6% of the change  in
total  sales  for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 as compared  to  the
same  period  of fiscal 1998. This increase was due to a 19.4% increase  in
tonnage with average sales prices remaining steady. Sales of live swine and
other  as  a group accounted for a decrease of 4.2% of the change in  total
sales  for  the first nine months of fiscal 1999 as compared  to  the  same
period of fiscal 1998.

The live swine business experienced a significant decrease in market prices
for  the first nine months of fiscal 1999 compared to the first nine months
of  fiscal  1998, resulting in a live swine group net loss  for  the  third
quarter  and for the nine months of fiscal 1999. Management cannot  predict
future market prices for live swine, but anticipates continued losses  from
its  live  swine  business  into fiscal 2000. In  addition,  management  is
pursuing  alternative  courses of action for this business  which  includes
closure of some production facilities and the possible divestiture  of  the
remaining swine group assets.

Cost  of goods sold decreased 6.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 1999  as
compared  to the same period of fiscal 1998. This decrease is a  result  of
the  decrease in sales and lower grain costs.  As a percent of sales,  cost
of  sales was 81.4% for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 compared to  84.2%
for the third quarter of fiscal 1998.

Cost  of goods sold increased 1.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 1999
as  compared to the same period of fiscal 1998. This increase is mainly the
result of the increase in sales offset somewhat by lower grain costs.  As a
percent  of  sales, cost of sales was 82.4% for the first  nine  months  of
fiscal 1999 compared to 84.3% for the first nine months of fiscal 1998.

Operating expenses increased 4.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 over
the  same quarter of fiscal 1998 mainly due to the loss on sale of  seafood
assets.  Selling  expense, as a percent of sales,  was  8%  for  the  third
quarter  of  fiscal  1999  and  fiscal 1998.   General  and  administrative
expense,  as a percent of sales, decreased to 1.8% in the third quarter  of
fiscal  1999  from  1.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 1998.  Amortization
expense,  as  a percent of sales, was 0.5% in the third quarter  of  fiscal
1999  and  0.4%  in  the  third quarter of fiscal  1998.  The  increase  in
amortization  expense is mainly due to additional amortization  related  to
the Hudson Acquisition.


Operating expenses increased 4.4% for the first nine months of fiscal  1999
over  the  same period of fiscal 1998 mostly due to the Hudson  Acquisition
and  the  loss on sale of seafood assets. Selling expense, as a percent  of
sales,  decreased  to  8.0% for the first nine months  of  fiscal  1999  as
compared to 8.2% for  the  first nine  months of fiscal 1998.  General  and
administrative expense, as a percent of sales, was 1.8% for the first  nine
months  of  fiscal  1999 compared to 1.9% for the same  period  last  year.
Amortization  expense, as a percent of sales, was 0.5% for the  first  nine
months of fiscal 1999 and 0.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 1998.



                                    11
<PAGE>
Interest  expense  decreased 18.9% for the third  quarter  of  fiscal  1999
compared to the same quarter of fiscal 1998 primarily as a result of a  14%
decrease  in  the Company's average indebtedness over the same period  last
year.  Additionally, the net average effective interest rate of all Company
debt  for  the third quarter of fiscal 1999 decreased to 6.1%  compared  to
6.5%  for  the same period last year primarily as a result of lower  short-
term borrowing costs.

Interest  expense decreased 8.9% for the first nine months of  fiscal  1999
compared  to  the first nine months of fiscal 1998 as a result  of  a  3.7%
decrease  in  the Company's average indebtedness over the same period  last
year.  Additionally, the net average effective interest rate of all Company
debt for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 decreased to 6.2% compared to
6.5% for the same period last year.

The  effective  income tax rate for the third quarter of  fiscal  1999  was
36.3%  compared  to 37% for the same period of fiscal 1998.  The  effective
income tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 was 35.8% compared
to  37%  for the same period of fiscal 1998. The decrease in the  effective
income tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal  1999
is  due  in  part  to  foreign subsidiary earnings  being  taxed  at  their
applicable foreign rate.


IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

The  Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs being written using
two  digits  rather than four to define the applicable year.   Any  of  the
Company's computer programs that have date-sensitive software may recognize
a  date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.  This  could
result  in  a  system  failure or miscalculations  causing  disruptions  of
operations, including among other things, a temporary inability to  process
transactions,   send  invoices,  or  engage  in  similar  normal   business
activities.

Because of the nature of the Year 2000 issue, older software is more likely
to  have  issues  with Year 2000 readiness, while newer  software  is  more
likely  to  be  Year 2000 compliant.  The Company has replaced  its  entire
computer  software  applications portfolio since  1990.   Nonetheless,  the
Company  has  been  working on testing and ensuring  application  readiness
since  1996.   Many  of  the applications that are  used  to  support  core
business  processes have been taken to offsite computer testing  facilities
to  ensure  their  Year  2000  readiness.  This includes  core  application
functionality  as  well  as  interfaces to other applications  and  outside
partners.


In  addition  to the testing that has been done, the Company  has  been  in
contact with the providers of packaged software applications to ensure that
these  packages are also Year 2000 ready. To this point, all  suppliers  of
software  have provided some approach for the Company to ensure  readiness,
either  through  upgrades  or new products. Most of  these  solutions  have
already been implemented.





                                    12
<PAGE>
In   certain  instances,  software  has  been  purchased  to  provide   new
functionality  for the Company replacing software that was  not  compliant.
These  purchases were not predicated by the Year 2000 issue;  however,  the
result is that the new systems are compliant and non-compliant systems  are
ultimately  retired.   An  example of this is  the  implementation  of  new
accounting software from SAP that the Company installed at the beginning of
the 1999 fiscal year.

Because  many  of  the  systems were already  compliant,  did  not  require
significant  modifications to make them compliant,  or  were  replaced  for
other  business  reasons, the costs incurred specifically to  address  Year
2000  readiness are not material to the Company.  Since 1996, the  expenses
that  resulted  from  Year  2000 readiness activities  have  been  absorbed
through  the annual Management Information Systems operational  budget  and
funded  from  internally  generated funds.  These costs  can  be  primarily
described  as  personnel  costs and have increased  each  year  since  1996
because of increased activity from testing.  The costs incurred since  1996
are approximately $1.5 million and are anticipated to be less than $720,000
in 1999.  No projects under consideration by the Company have been deferred
because of Year 2000 efforts.

Because  of the rapid pace of change in technology, especially in the  area
of hardware, the Company regularly upgrades and replaces hardware platforms
such as database and application servers.  Consequently, all of the servers
are  Year 2000 ready.  More than 99 percent of the personal computers  have
been certified as being Year 2000 ready with the remainder to be replaced.

The telephone systems in use by the Company have also been surveyed.  There
are  more than 170 of these systems currently in use.  One of these systems
currently has a Year 2000 issue that needs to be resolved.  It is  expected
that this system will be addressed by the end of fiscal 1999.

The embedded technology in the production environment, such as programmable
logic controllers, computer-controlled valves and other equipment, has been
inventoried  and  the Company has contacted the vendors who  supplied  this
technology with respect to their Year 2000 readiness.  While not all of the
responses  have  been  received, those that have  responded  have  given  a
positive  response  as  to  their Year 2000 readiness.   Based  on  current
evidence,  the  Company believes there to be no significant  exposure  with
regard to production equipment.

The Company has initiated formal communications with all of its significant
suppliers  and  large  customers  to determine  the  extent  to  which  the
Company's interface systems are vulnerable to those third parties'  failure
to remediate their own Year 2000 issues.  Tyson has received responses from
approximately 10,000 vendors, and less than 0.5% of the responses  received
have  identified  any  type  of non-compliance  issues  which  need  to  be
addressed  further.   The Company has initiated a  second  inquiry  to  the
remaining   vendors  and  expects  all  responses  to   be   completed   by
September 30, 1999.

The Company's total Year 2000 project cost, which is not expected to have a
material  effect  on  the  Company's results of  operations,  includes  the
estimated  costs  and time associated with the impact of third  party  Year
2000 issues based upon presently available information.  However, there can
be  no guarantee that the systems of other companies on which the Company's
systems  rely will be converted timely or would not have an adverse  effect
on the Company's systems.
                                    13
<PAGE>
To  date, the Company has completed 100 percent of the assessment phase and
approximately  98  percent  of  the  remediation  phase.   The  Company  is
currently  testing  various  applications and  anticipates continuing  this
testing  up  to  December  31,  1999. The Company  has  not  established  a
contingency plan for possible Year 2000 issues.  The Company will establish
contingency  plans, if needed, based on its actual testing experience  with
its supplier base and assessment of outside risks.


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, including forward-looking statements made
in  this  report,  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 and  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)  issues  related  to  food safety, including  costs  resulting  from
product   recalls,  regulatory  compliance  and  any  related   claims   or
litigation;  (ix) access to foreign markets together with foreign  economic
conditions,  including currency fluctuations; and (x)  the  effect  of,  or
changes in, general economic conditions.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks

Market  risks  relating to the Company's operations result  primarily  from
changes in commodity prices and interest rates. To address these risks  the
Company  enters into various hedging transactions as described  below.  The
Company does not use financial instruments for trading purposes and is  not
a party to any leveraged derivatives.








                                    14
<PAGE>

Commodities Risk

The  Company is a purchaser of certain commodities, primarily corn, soybean
meal and soybean oil.  The Company periodically uses commodity futures  and
purchased  options  for hedging purposes to reduce the effect  of  changing
commodity  prices  and  as  a mechanism to procure  the  commodities.   The
contracts that effectively meet risk reduction and correlation criteria are
recorded  using  hedge  accounting.   Gains  and  losses  on  closed  hedge
transactions  are  recorded  as a component  of  the  underlying  inventory
purchase.

The  following  table  provides information about the  Company's  commodity
inventory  and  futures  contracts for  corn  and  soybean  meal  that  are
sensitive to changes in commodity prices.  The table presents the  carrying
amounts  and  fair values at July 3, 1999. Additionally,  for  the  futures
contracts,  the latest  which  matures 9  months from the  reporting  date,
the  table presents the notional amounts in units of purchase, the weighted
average  contract  prices and the total dollar contract amounts.   Contract
amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments and quantity of corn
and soybean meal to be exchanged under the futures contracts.

(dollars and volume in millions, except per unit amounts)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Volume     Contract/   Weighted      Fair   Weighted
                                 Book Value Average Price  Value   Average
                                              Per Unit            Price Per
                                                                     Unit
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Inventory         -     $25.7       $  -       $25.7     $  -

Futures Contracts

Corn (in bushels)
  Long (Buy) Positions   25.9     $59.4      $2.30       $57.6    $2.23
  Short (Sell) Positions  0.4      $0.9      $2.13        $0.9    $2.11

Soybean Meal
  Long (Buy) Positions    -        $5.8     $136.7        $5.8   $136.6

Puts/Calls

Corn (in bushels)
  Short Put               5.0      $0.2      $0.045       $0.6    $0.12
=========================================================================

Interest Rate Risks

The  Company hedges exposure to changes in interest rates on certain of its
financial  instruments.   Under the terms of  various  leveraged  equipment
loans, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to effectively
lock  in a fixed interest rate for these borrowings. The maturity dates  of
these leveraged equipment loans range from 2005 to 2008 with interest rates
ranging from 4.7% to 6%.




                                    15
<PAGE>

The  following  table  provides information about the Company's  derivative
financial instruments and other financial instruments that are sensitive to
changes  in  interest  rates. The table presents  for  the  Company's  debt
obligations, principal cash flows, related weighted-average interest  rates
by  expected maturity dates and fair values. For interest rate  swaps,  the
table  presents notional amounts, weighted-average interest rates or strike
rates  by contractual maturity dates and fair values. Notional amounts  are
used  to  calculate  the contractual cash flows to be exchanged  under  the
contract.


                         Interest Rate Sensitivity
             Principal (Notional) Amount by Expected Maturity
                       Average Interest (Swap) Rate
___________________________________________________________________________
(dollars in millions)1999  2000   2001   2002  2003  There-   Total   Fair
                                                     after           Value
                                                                     7/3/99
___________________________________________________________________________
Liabilities

Long-term Debt,
  including
  Current Portion

Fixed Rate        176.4  125.3   73.4  177.4  29.0  809.0 1,390.5  1,395.7
 Average Interest
   Rate            6.84%  8.20%  9.44%  6.18% 7.10%  6.82%  7.01%

Variable Rate      68.5    -    357.8    -     -     50.0   476.3    476.3
 Average Interest
   Rate            5.73%   -     5.13%   -     -     3.65%  5.06%

Interest Rate
  Derivative Financial
  Instruments Related
  to Debt
Interest Rate Swaps
  Pay Fixed         4.8   17.2   18.4   19.6  21.6   50.2   131.7    (1.6)
  Average Pay Rate 6.55%  6.71%  6.69%  6.73% 6.73%  6.59%   6.66%
  Average Receive Rate- USD 6 Month Libor.
===========================================================================















                                    16
<PAGE>
                        PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

On  June  22,  1999, eleven current and/or former employees of the  Company
filed  the  case of "M.H. Fox, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc." in  the  United
States  District Court for the Northern District of Alabama  claiming  that
the  Company has violated the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The suit alleges that the Company has failed to pay employees for all hours
worked  and/or  has  improperly paid them for  overtime  hours.   The  suit
alleges that employees should be paid for the time it takes them to put  on
and  take  off certain working supplies at the beginning and end  of  their
shifts  and breaks.  The suit also alleges that the use of "mastercard"  or
"line"   time  fails  to  pay  employees  for  all  time  actually  worked.
Plaintiffs  purport to represent themselves and a class  of  all  similarly
situated  current  and  former employees of the Company.  A  total  of  159
consents  were filed with the complaint on behalf of persons  to  join  the
lawsuit  and, to date, approximately 850 consents have been filed with  the
court.  This case is in the preliminary stages and the Company is presently
required  to  file  a response to the complaint on August  17,  1999.   The
Company  believes it has substantial defenses to the claims  made  in  this
case  and  intends  to  vigorously defend the case.  However,  neither  the
likelihood of unfavorable outcome nor the amount of ultimate liability,  if
any, with respect to this case can be determined at this time.


Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

           Not Applicable


Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

           Not Applicable


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

           Not Applicable



















                                    17
<PAGE>
Item 5.    Other Information

2000 Annual Meeting

The   Company's   2000   Annual   Meeting  is   currently   scheduled   for
January  14, 2000.  Accordingly, pursuant to the Company's bylaws, for  any
business  to  be  brought  before the 2000 Annual Meeting  by  a  proponent
shareholder,  written notice (in proper form as required by  the  Company's
Bylaws)  must  be provided to R. Read Hudson, the Company's  Secretary,  at
2210  West  Oaklawn Drive, Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999, no  later  than
October 31, 1999 and no earlier than October 6, 1999.

Mallard's Sale

Effective July 19, 1999, the Company signed a letter of intent for the sale
of  Mallard's  Food  Products, a division of the Company's  Prepared  Foods
Group.  The Company is still involved in negotiations concerning assumption
of  liabilities  and  reimbursable expenses which will  be  included  in  a
definitive  agreement.  The sale is expected to be finalized in the  fourth
quarter of fiscal 1999.


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:

The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K for the quarter ended
July 3, 1999.



EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with this report.

Exhibit No.                                                       Page
- -----------                                                       ----

3.1  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
     (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
     Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
     October 3, 1998, Commission File No. 0-3400, and
     incorporated herein by reference).

3.2  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).


27   Financial Data Schedule

                                    18
<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: August 17, 1999              /s/ Steven Hankins
      ---------------              ----------------------------
                                   Steven Hankins
                                   Executive Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer


Date: August 17, 1999              /s/ James G. Ennis
      ---------------              ----------------------------
                                   James G. Ennis
                                    Vice President, Controller and
                                     Chief Accounting Officer






































                                    19

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
quarterly financial statements for the period ended July 3, 1999 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-03-1999
<CASH>                                              55
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      612
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,027
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,926
<PP&E>                                           2,211
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,361
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,202
<BONDS>                                          1,640
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,084
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,361
<SALES>                                          5,547
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,547
<CGS>                                            4,570
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  94
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    308
<INCOME-TAX>                                       111
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                189
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       189
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82


</TABLE>


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