<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Flowers
Industries, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Income for the twelve and thirty-six
weeks ended March 8, 1997 and the Flowers Industries, Inc. Consolidated Balance
Sheet at March 8, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-28-1997             JUN-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1996             DEC-15-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                MAR-8-1997              MAR-8-1997
<CASH>                                           4,886                   4,886
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  117,925                 117,925
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     95,990                  95,990
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               237,375                 237,375
<PP&E>                                         742,684                 742,684
<DEPRECIATION>                                 294,534                 294,534
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 836,403                 836,403
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          186,907                 186,907
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        36,932                  36,932
<OTHER-SE>                                     290,048                 290,048
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   836,403                 836,403
<SALES>                                      1,009,954                 301,392
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,053,124                 303,950
<CGS>                                          561,747                 159,114
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  991,112                 294,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,423                   4,938
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,012                   9,912
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,441                   3,747
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,381                  12,170
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77                    0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77                    0.21
        

</TABLE>