<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
                            RUDDICK CORPORATION
            FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 7/2/2000


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-2000
<CASH>                                      11,889,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               90,674,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,177,000
<INVENTORY>                                242,492,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           374,405,000
<PP&E>                                   1,040,030,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             475,767,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,014,509,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      219,191,000
<BONDS>                                    237,169,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    48,350,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 417,213,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,014,509,000
<SALES>                                    682,903,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           682,903,000
<CGS>                                      495,118,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              657,038,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,760,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,956,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             20,149,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,859,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         12,290,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                12,290,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       $.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     $.27