<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-09-19</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000100493</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TYSON FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSN</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001019046</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEE GREG W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2210 W. OAKLAWN</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SPRINGDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72762</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>0</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
			<officerTitle>Int'l Pres &amp; CAO</officerTitle>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeTable>
		<nonDerivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-09-19</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>2033</value>
					<footnoteId id="F1"/>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>A</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>52603</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By ESPP</value>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeTransaction>
		<nonDerivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>657897</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeHolding>
		<nonDerivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>750</value>
					<footnoteId id="F2"/>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By Children's Trust</value>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeHolding>
		<nonDerivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>8475</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By Spouse</value>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeHolding>
	</nonDerivativeTable>
	<derivativeTable>
		<derivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>13.33</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-09-19</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>160000</value>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>A</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2003-09-19</value>
				<footnoteId id="F3"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2013-09-19</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>160000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>160000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeTransaction>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>14.42</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F4"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2003-04-26</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>15000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>15000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>14.50</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>1998-06-01</value>
				<footnoteId id="F5"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2005-04-26</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>3750</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>3750</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>15.17</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F6"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2005-11-19</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>11250</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>11250</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>14.58</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F7"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2006-03-10</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>37500</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>37500</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>17.92</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F8"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2006-10-03</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>52500</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>52500</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>9.32</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2003-10-15</value>
				<footnoteId id="F9"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2011-10-15</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>60000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>60000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>11.63</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F10"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2012-09-30</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>60000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>60000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>11.23</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2005-07-29</value>
				<footnoteId id="F11"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2013-07-29</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>160000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>160000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
		<derivativeHolding>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Non-Qualifited Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<conversionOrExercisePrice>
				<value>11.50</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2003-03-29</value>
				<footnoteId id="F12"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2011-03-29</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>100000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>100000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
	</derivativeTable>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">Includes 2,033 Shares purchased  from 07-01-03 thru 08-29-03, for the reporting person's account under the Tyson Foods, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan which transactions are exempt under Section 16(b)(3).</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">The reporting person no longer has a reportable beneficial interest in 750 shares of Tyson Foods Inc Class A Common Stock owned by his daughter and included in the reporting person's prior beneficial ownership reports.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F3">This Stock Option vests at  40% on 9-19-05 and 20% each year thereafter for three (3) years.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F4">The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after the date of grant 4/26/93.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F5">The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 6/1/95.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F6">The stock options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 11/20/95.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F7">The stock options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 3/12/96.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F8">The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments commencing three years after the date of grant 10/3/96.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F9">The stock option vests at 40% on 10-15-03 and 20% each year thereafter.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F10">The Stock Option becomes exercisable in four equal annual installments, commencing two years after the date of grant, 9-30-02.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F11">The Stock Option vests at 40% on 7-29-05 and 20% each year thereafter for 3 years.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F12">The Stock Options become exercisable in four equal annual installments, commencing two years after the date of grant, 03-29-01.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<remarks>
	</remarks>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>/s/ Lee, Greg W.</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-09-23</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2003-09-19
0
0000100493
TYSON FOODS INC
TSN
0001019046
LEE GREG W
2210 W. OAKLAWN
SPRINGDALE
AR
72762
0
1
0
0
Int'l Pres & CAO
Class A Common Stock
2003-09-19
4
J
0
2033
0
A
52603
I
By ESPP
Class A Common Stock
657897
D
Class A Common Stock
750
I
By Children's Trust
Class A Common Stock
8475
I
By Spouse
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
13.33
2003-09-19
4
A
0
160000
0
A
2003-09-19
2013-09-19
Class A Common Stock
160000
160000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.42
2003-04-26
Class A Common Stock
15000
15000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.50
1998-06-01
2005-04-26
Class A Common Stock
3750
3750
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
15.17
2005-11-19
Class A Common Stock
11250
11250
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.58
2006-03-10
Class A Common Stock
37500
37500
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
17.92
2006-10-03
Class A Common Stock
52500
52500
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
9.32
2003-10-15
2011-10-15
Class A Common Stock
60000
60000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
11.63
2012-09-30
Class A Common Stock
60000
60000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
11.23
2005-07-29
2013-07-29
Class A Common Stock
160000
160000
D
Non-Qualifited Stock Option (right to buy)
11.50
2003-03-29
2011-03-29
Class A Common Stock
100000
100000
D
Includes 2,033 Shares purchased  from 07-01-03 thru 08-29-03, for the reporting person's account under the Tyson Foods, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan which transactions are exempt under Section 16(b)(3).
The reporting person no longer has a reportable beneficial interest in 750 shares of Tyson Foods Inc Class A Common Stock owned by his daughter and included in the reporting person's prior beneficial ownership reports.
This Stock Option vests at  40% on 9-19-05 and 20% each year thereafter for three (3) years.
The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after the date of grant 4/26/93.
The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 6/1/95.
The stock options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 11/20/95.
The stock options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after date of grant 3/12/96.
The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments commencing three years after the date of grant 10/3/96.
The stock option vests at 40% on 10-15-03 and 20% each year thereafter.
The Stock Option becomes exercisable in four equal annual installments, commencing two years after the date of grant, 9-30-02.
The Stock Option vests at 40% on 7-29-05 and 20% each year thereafter for 3 years.
The Stock Options become exercisable in four equal annual installments, commencing two years after the date of grant, 03-29-01.
/s/ Lee, Greg W.
2003-09-23