<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TOM'S FOODS FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER
12, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999             JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-12-1998             SEP-12-1997
<CASH>                                           2,062                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,932                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,911                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     12,168                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,424                       0
<PP&E>                                          89,989                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,688                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 138,102                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,733                       0
<BONDS>                                         70,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            7,682                       0
<PREFERRED>                                     23,672                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,225                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   138,102                       0
<SALES>                                        143,171                 149,337
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,171                 149,337
<CGS>                                           87,183                  92,529
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   52,194                  52,788
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,625                   7,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,831)                 (3,161)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       346                     346
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,177)                 (3,507)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,177)                 (3,507)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>