<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TOM'S FOODS INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 20, 1998
AND THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 14, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999             JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-20-1998             JUN-14-1997
<CASH>                                           1,607                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,822                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,218                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     12,974                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,412                       0
<PP&E>                                          89,223                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  37,290                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 139,165                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,561                       0
<BONDS>                                         70,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            7,510                       0
<PREFERRED>                                     23,190                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,225                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   139,165                       0
<SALES>                                         95,681                 100,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                95,681                 100,480
<CGS>                                           58,110                  62,908
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,220                  34,993
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,701                   4,768
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,350)                 (2,189)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       230                     231
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,580)                 (2,420)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,580)                 (2,420)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>