<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000100493</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TYSON FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001019033</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TYSON DONALD J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 2020</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2210 WEST OAKLAWN</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SPRINGDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>72765</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6412</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>81193</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>ESPP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLP Investment, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLP Investment, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-11-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLPCRT, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-07-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-07-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLP Investment, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-08-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-08-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLP Investment, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Contract to Sell</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-11-19</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-08-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-08-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By TLPCRT, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 6,412 shares purchased from 2-01-04 through 10-31-04 for the reporting person's account in the Tyson Foods, Inc Employee Stock Purchase Plan which transactions are exempt under Section 16 (b)(3).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">TLP Investment, L.P. (&quot;TLP&quot;) and TLPCRT, L.P. (&quot;TLPCRT&quot;) (TLP and TLPCRT collectively, the &quot;Counterparties&quot;) (each Counterparty is a limited partnership for which the Tyson Limited Partnership (the &quot;Partnership&quot;) directly or indirectly holds all of the outstanding beneficial interest)  have amended three existing pre-paid variable equity forward contracts relating to an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Tyson Foods, Inc. Class B Common Stock (the &quot;Class B Stock&quot;) extending their respective expiration dates to July 25, 2006 and August 22, 2006 modifying the exercise prices and other terms of each contract (the &quot;Amended Contracts&quot;). Each of these transactions was effective November 19, 2004. As a result of these transactions, the Counterparties received net proceeds of $1,179,000.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">As a result of the transactions discussed in Footnote 2 hereof, the
Counterparties received net proceeds of $1,179,000.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Amount represents total amount held by the Partnership.  Each Counterparty is a limited partnership for which the Partnership directly or indirectly holds all of the outstanding beneficial interest. The reporting person is a 54.3123% general partner in the Partnership and accordingly disclaims beneficial ownership of 45.6877% of the securities held by the Partnership. This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of an excess of 54.3123% of the securities held by the Partnership for Section 16 or for any other purposes.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Under the Amended Contracts, each Counterparty agreed to deliver shares of Class A Stock (or Class B Stock immediately convertible into Class A Stock) on the expiration date of each contract (or on an earlier date if the contract is terminated early) as follows: (i) if the price of Class A Stock on the date of expiration or termination (the &quot;Final Price&quot;) is less than a specified floor price (the &quot;Floor Price&quot;), then 1,000,000 shares; (ii) if the Final Price is less than or equal to a specified maximum price (the &quot;Cap Price&quot;), but greater than or equal to the Floor Price, then a number of shares equal to 1,000,000 times the Floor Price divided by the Final Price; (iii) if the Final Price is greater than the Cap Price, then a number of shares equal to 1,000,000 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the Floor Price and the difference between the Final Price and the Cap Price, and the denominator of which is the Final Price.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Each of the Amended Contracts has a Floor Price equal to $16.6385/share and a Cap Price equal to $19.9662/share, all based on an average market price of $16.6385/share over a three trading day period ending on November 19, 2004</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">In connection with the Amended Contracts, the Counterparties have pledged 3,000,000 shares of Class B Stock to secure their obligations under the Amended Contracts. Under the Amended Contracts, in lieu of the delivery of shares, each Counterparty may, at its option, settle the contracts by delivery of cash. In certain events, the Counterparties are obligated to settle the contracts by delivery of cash.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: By: R. Read Hudson, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2004-11-19
0
0000100493
TYSON FOODS INC
TSN
0001019033
TYSON DONALD J
PO BOX 2020
2210 WEST OAKLAWN
SPRINGDALE
AR
72765
1
0
1
0
Class A Common Stock
2004-11-19
5
J
0
6412
0
A
81193
I
ESPP
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
0
D
2004-11-22
2004-11-22
Class B Common Stock
1000000
5
I
By TLP Investment, L.P.
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
0
D
2004-11-22
2004-11-22
Class B Common Stock
1000000
5
I
By TLP Investment, L.P.
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
0
D
2004-11-22
2004-11-22
Class B Common Stock
1000000
3
I
By TLPCRT, L.P.
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
A
2006-07-25
2006-07-25
Class B Common Stock
1000000
5
I
By TLP Investment, L.P.
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
A
2006-08-22
2006-08-22
Class B Common Stock
1000000
5
I
By TLP Investment, L.P.
Contract to Sell
2004-11-19
2004-11-19
4
J
0
1
A
2006-08-22
2006-08-22
Class B Common Stock
1000000
3
I
By TLPCRT, L.P.
Includes 6,412 shares purchased from 2-01-04 through 10-31-04 for the reporting person's account in the Tyson Foods, Inc Employee Stock Purchase Plan which transactions are exempt under Section 16 (b)(3).
TLP Investment, L.P. ("TLP") and TLPCRT, L.P. ("TLPCRT") (TLP and TLPCRT collectively, the "Counterparties") (each Counterparty is a limited partnership for which the Tyson Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") directly or indirectly holds all of the outstanding beneficial interest)  have amended three existing pre-paid variable equity forward contracts relating to an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Tyson Foods, Inc. Class B Common Stock (the "Class B Stock") extending their respective expiration dates to July 25, 2006 and August 22, 2006 modifying the exercise prices and other terms of each contract (the "Amended Contracts"). Each of these transactions was effective November 19, 2004. As a result of these transactions, the Counterparties received net proceeds of $1,179,000.
As a result of the transactions discussed in Footnote 2 hereof, the
Counterparties received net proceeds of $1,179,000.
Amount represents total amount held by the Partnership.  Each Counterparty is a limited partnership for which the Partnership directly or indirectly holds all of the outstanding beneficial interest. The reporting person is a 54.3123% general partner in the Partnership and accordingly disclaims beneficial ownership of 45.6877% of the securities held by the Partnership. This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of an excess of 54.3123% of the securities held by the Partnership for Section 16 or for any other purposes.
Under the Amended Contracts, each Counterparty agreed to deliver shares of Class A Stock (or Class B Stock immediately convertible into Class A Stock) on the expiration date of each contract (or on an earlier date if the contract is terminated early) as follows: (i) if the price of Class A Stock on the date of expiration or termination (the "Final Price") is less than a specified floor price (the "Floor Price"), then 1,000,000 shares; (ii) if the Final Price is less than or equal to a specified maximum price (the "Cap Price"), but greater than or equal to the Floor Price, then a number of shares equal to 1,000,000 times the Floor Price divided by the Final Price; (iii) if the Final Price is greater than the Cap Price, then a number of shares equal to 1,000,000 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the Floor Price and the difference between the Final Price and the Cap Price, and the denominator of which is the Final Price.
Each of the Amended Contracts has a Floor Price equal to $16.6385/share and a Cap Price equal to $19.9662/share, all based on an average market price of $16.6385/share over a three trading day period ending on November 19, 2004
In connection with the Amended Contracts, the Counterparties have pledged 3,000,000 shares of Class B Stock to secure their obligations under the Amended Contracts. Under the Amended Contracts, in lieu of the delivery of shares, each Counterparty may, at its option, settle the contracts by delivery of cash. In certain events, the Counterparties are obligated to settle the contracts by delivery of cash.
By: By: R. Read Hudson, by power of attorney
2004-11-23