<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FLOWERS
INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE FORTY WEEKS ENDED
OCTOBER 7, 2000 AND THE FLOWERS INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT
OCTOBER 7, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-07-2000
<CASH>                                          23,766
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  191,140
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    302,401
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               686,361
<PP&E>                                       1,807,004
<DEPRECIATION>                                 611,997
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,134,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          673,494
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        62,830
<OTHER-SE>                                     482,240
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,134,622
<SALES>                                      3,317,466
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,317,466
<CGS>                                        1,505,245
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,072,410
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              86,237
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                158,719
<INCOME-TAX>                                    68,115
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,245
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,245
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35