<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WHOLE
FOODS MARKET JULY 2, 2000 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   10-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-24-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-2000
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,110
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     90,888
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               131,498
<PP&E>                                         466,930
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 775,143
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          140,736
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       201,070
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,618
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   775,143
<SALES>                                      1,420,230
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,420,230
<CGS>                                          930,764
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  930,764
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               413,144
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,865
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,457
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,492
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,965
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                          375
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,590
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.39