<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FLOWERS
INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIXTEEN WEEKS ENDED
APRIL 22, 2000 AND THE FLOWERS INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
APRIL 22, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   4-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-22-2000
<CASH>                                          22,492
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  183,361
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    257,952
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               655,011
<PP&E>                                       1,750,416
<DEPRECIATION>                                (551,622)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,162,296
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          637,615
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        62,828
<OTHER-SE>                                     481,776
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,162,296
<SALES>                                      1,317,413
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,317,413
<CGS>                                          598,405
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,217,397
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,404
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,250
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,493
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,757
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,757
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17