<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WHITMAN
CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001084230

<NAME> WHITMAN CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000


<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-30-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                    JUL-01-2000             JUL-03-1999
<CASH>                             103,700                       0
<SECURITIES>                             0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                      316,600                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                         8,400                       0
<INVENTORY>                        127,300                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                   575,000                       0
<PP&E>                           1,433,100                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                     596,800                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   2,911,400                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>              800,600                       0
<BONDS>                            808,700                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0                       0
<PREFERRED>                              0                       0
<COMMON>                         1,634,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                        (485,400)                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     2,911,400                       0
<SALES>                          1,231,500                 875,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 1,231,500                 875,500
<CGS>                              723,200                 517,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    1,114,800<F1>             807,500<F5>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    (3,000)                 47,800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  41,600<F2>              25,500<F6>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     78,100                  (5,300)
<INCOME-TAX>                        37,300                 (15,900)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 40,800                   4,000<F7>
<DISCONTINUED>                       8,900                 (27,200)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0                       0
<CHANGES>                                0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                        49,700                 (23,200)
<EPS-BASIC>                           0.36<F3>               (0.22)<F8>
<EPS-DILUTED>                         0.36<F4>               (0.22)<F9>
<FN>

<F1>

TOTAL COSTS INCLUDE COST OF GOODS SOLD, S,G&A EXPENSES AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
OF $723,200, $371,200 AND $20,400, RESPECTIVELY.

<F2>

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET, INCLUDES INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME OF $42,400
AND $800, RESPECTIVELY.

<F3>

BASIC INCOME PER SHARE:

CONTINUING OPERATIONS            $ 0.30
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS            0.06
                                 ------
NET INCOME                       $ 0.36
                                 ======
<F4>

DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE:

CONTINUING OPERATIONS            $ 0.30
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS            0.06
                                 ------
NET INCOME                       $ 0.36
                                 ======

<F5>

TOTAL COSTS INCLUDE COST OF GOODS SOLD, S,G&A EXPENSES, AMORTIZATION EXPENSE AND
SPECIAL CHARGES OF $517,800, $256,900, $9,400 AND $23,400, RESPECTIVELY.

<F6>

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET, INCLUDES INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME OF $27,600
AND $2,100, RESPECTIVELY.

<F7>

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS IS REDUCED BY MINORITY INTEREST OF $6,600.

<F8>

BASIC INCOME PER SHARE:

CONTINUING OPERATIONS            $ 0.04
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           (0.26)
                                 ------
NET INCOME                       $(0.22)
                                 ======
<F9>

DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE:

CONTINUING OPERATIONS            $ 0.04
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS           (0.26)
                                 ------
NET INCOME                       $(0.22)
                                 ======
</FN>


</TABLE>