<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WHOLE
FOODS MARKET 2000 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-24-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-24-2000
<CASH> 395
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 21,836
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 93,858
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 151,721
<PP&E> 468,678
<DEPRECIATION> (206,272)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 760,399
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 142,641
<BONDS> 130,787
0
0
<COMMON> 211,960
<OTHER-SE> 95,197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 760,399
<SALES> 1,838,630
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,838,630
<CGS> 1,205,096
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,205,096
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 540,856
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,093
<INCOME-PRETAX> 77,585
<INCOME-TAX> 34,584
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 28,927
<DISCONTINUED> 33,383
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 375
<NET-INCOME> (4,831)
<EPS-BASIC> 1.06
<EPS-DILUTED> (.18)
</TABLE>