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

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-09-27</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000100493</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TYSON FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TSN</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001019048</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEATHERBY DENNIS</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>Sr. VP, Finance and Treasurer</officerTitle>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeTable>
		<nonDerivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-09-27</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
				<footnoteId id="F1"/>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>598</value>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>A</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>42897</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeTransaction>
		<nonDerivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-09-30</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>3</value>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>A</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>924</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By 401(k)</value>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeTransaction>
		<nonDerivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-11-13</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>924</value>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>D</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>0</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By 401(k)</value>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeTransaction>
		<nonDerivativeTransaction>
			<securityTitle>
				<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
			</securityTitle>
			<transactionDate>
				<value>2003-10-31</value>
			</transactionDate>
			<deemedExecutionDate>
			</deemedExecutionDate>
			<transactionCoding>
				<transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
				<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
				<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
			</transactionCoding>
			<transactionAmounts>
				<transactionShares>
					<value>420</value>
				</transactionShares>
				<transactionPricePerShare>
					<value>0</value>
				</transactionPricePerShare>
				<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
					<value>A</value>
				</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
			</transactionAmounts>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>13197</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>I</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value>By ESPP</value>
					<footnoteId id="F2"/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</nonDerivativeTransaction>
	</nonDerivativeTable>
	<derivativeTable>
		<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>2100</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>2100</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="F8"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2011-10-15</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>6000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>6000</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>14.42</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F3"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2003-04-26</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>6000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>6000</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>9000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>9000</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>14.33</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F4"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2004-04-26</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>17.92</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<footnoteId id="F7"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2006-10-03</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>7500</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>7500</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="F11"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2011-03-29</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>20000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>20000</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>9.64</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2004-10-10</value>
				<footnoteId id="F9"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2012-10-10</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>6000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>6000</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>13.33</value>
			</conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<exerciseDate>
				<value>2003-09-19</value>
				<footnoteId id="F10"/>
			</exerciseDate>
			<expirationDate>
				<value>2013-09-19</value>
			</expirationDate>
			<underlyingSecurity>
				<underlyingSecurityTitle>
					<value>Class A Common Stock</value>
				</underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<underlyingSecurityShares>
					<value>6000</value>
				</underlyingSecurityShares>
			</underlyingSecurity>
			<postTransactionAmounts>
				<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
					<value>6000</value>
				</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
			</postTransactionAmounts>
			<ownershipNature>
				<directOrIndirectOwnership>
					<value>D</value>
				</directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<natureOfOwnership>
					<value/>
				</natureOfOwnership>
			</ownershipNature>
		</derivativeHolding>
	</derivativeTable>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">The number of restricted shares has increased by 940. shares since the last filed Form 4 due to the reinvestment of dividends on the restricted shares, which dividend reinvestment is a non-reportable event???
</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Includes 420 Shares purchased  from 9-01-03 thru 10-31-03, 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="F3">The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after the date of grant 4/26/93.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F4">The Stock Options become exercisable in five equal annual installments, commencing three years after the date of grant 5/25/94.</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 the date of grant 10/3/96.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F8">The stock option vests at 40% on 10-15-03 and 20% each year thereafter.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F9">The Stock Option vests at 40% on 10-10-04 and 20% each year thereafter for 3 years.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F10">This Stock Option vests at  40% on 9-19-05 and 20% each year thereafter for three (3) years.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F11">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/ Leatherby, Dennis </signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-11-21</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0201
4
2003-09-27
0
0000100493
TYSON FOODS INC
TSN
0001019048
LEATHERBY DENNIS
2210 W. OAKLAWN
SPRINGDALE
AR
72762
0
1
0
0
Sr. VP, Finance and Treasurer
Class A Common Stock
2003-09-27
4
J
0
598
0
A
42897
D
Class A Common Stock
2003-09-30
5
J
0
3
0
A
924
I
By 401(k)
Class A Common Stock
2003-11-13
4
S
0
924
0
D
0
I
By 401(k)
Class A Common Stock
2003-10-31
5
J
0
420
0
A
13197
I
By ESPP
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.50
1998-06-01
2005-04-26
Class A Common Stock
2100
2100
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
9.32
2003-10-15
2011-10-15
Class A Common Stock
6000
6000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.42
2003-04-26
Class A Common Stock
6000
6000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
15.17
2005-11-19
Class A Common Stock
9000
9000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
14.33
2004-04-26
Class A Common Stock
11250
11250
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
17.92
2006-10-03
Class A Common Stock
7500
7500
D
Non-Qualifited Stock Option (right to buy)
11.50
2003-03-29
2011-03-29
Class A Common Stock
20000
20000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
9.64
2004-10-10
2012-10-10
Class A Common Stock
6000
6000
D
Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)
13.33
2003-09-19
2013-09-19
Class A Common Stock
6000
6000
D
The number of restricted shares has increased by 940. shares since the last filed Form 4 due to the reinvestment of dividends on the restricted shares, which dividend reinvestment is a non-reportable event???
Includes 420 Shares purchased  from 9-01-03 thru 10-31-03, 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 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 the date of grant 5/25/94.
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 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 vests at 40% on 10-10-04 and 20% each year thereafter for 3 years.
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 four equal annual installments, commencing two years after the date of grant, 03-29-01.
/s/ Leatherby, Dennis
2003-11-21