<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
RUDDICK CORPORATION
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 7/2/2000
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-03-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-02-2000
<CASH> 11,889,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 90,674,000
<ALLOWANCES> 3,177,000
<INVENTORY> 242,492,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 374,405,000
<PP&E> 1,040,030,000
<DEPRECIATION> 475,767,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,014,509,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 219,191,000
<BONDS> 237,169,000
0
0
<COMMON> 48,350,000
<OTHER-SE> 417,213,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,014,509,000
<SALES> 682,903,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 682,903,000
<CGS> 495,118,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 657,038,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,760,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,956,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,149,000
<INCOME-TAX> 7,859,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,290,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,290,000
<EPS-BASIC> $.27
<EPS-DILUTED> $.27
</TABLE>