SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D. C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

              QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For quarter ended    JUNE 28, 1997

Commission file number    1-9273

      PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             DELAWARE                    75-1285071
(State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)        Identification No.)


  110 SOUTH TEXAS, PITTSBURG, TX          75686-0093
(Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip code)


                   (903) 855-1000
(Telephone number of principle executive offices)


                    NOT APPLICABLE
Former  name,  former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.

Indicate by check  mark  whether  the  registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or  for  such  shorter periods that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X   No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the  issuer's  classes
of common stock, as of the latest practical date.



COMMON STOCK $.01     PAR VALUE--- 27,589,250     SHARES AS OF AUGUST 11, 1997

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                                   INDEX

               PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1: Financial Statements (Unaudited):

        Condensed consolidated balance sheets:

           June 28, 1997 and September 28, 1996

        Consolidated statements of income (loss):

           Three  months  and nine months ended June 28, 1997 and June  29,
1996

        Consolidated statements of cash flows:

           Nine months ended June 28, 1997 and June 29, 1996

        Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements--June 28, 1997


     Item 2: Management's Discussion  and  Analysis  of Financial Condition
           and Results of Operations.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES



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                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                 PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS :
June 28, September 28, 1997 1996 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,076 $ 18,040 Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts 75,006 65,887 Inventories 146,005 136,866 Deferred income taxes 6,082 6,801 Prepaid expenses 1,418 907 Other current assets 211 757 Total Current Assets 236,798 229,258 Other Assets 21,374 18,827 Property, Plant and Equipment 503,322 466,672 Less accumulated depreciation 194,769 178,035 308,553 288,637 $ 566,725 $ 536,722 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable to banks $ 20,000 $ 27,000 Accounts payable 67,197 71,354 Accrued expenses 38,888 33,599 Current maturities of long-term debt 10,884 8,850 Total Current Liabilities 136,969 140,803 Long-Term Debt, less current maturities 210,358 198,334 Deferred Income Taxes 54,317 53,608 Minority Interest in Subsidiary 842 842 Stockholders' Equity: Common stock; $.01 par value 276 276 Additional paid-in capital 79,763 79,763 Retained earnings 84,200 63,096 Total Stockholders' Equity 164,239 143,135 $ 566,725 $ 536,722
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 1 PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 JUNE 29, 1996 JUNE 28, 1997 JUNE 29, 1996 (in thousands, except share and per share data) Net Sales $335,168 $294,339 $936,375 $833,818 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales 307,883 276,955 855,738 779,415 Selling, general and administrative 14,658 11,930 42,035 36,440 322,541 288,885 897,773 815,855 Operating income 12,627 5,454 38,602 17,963 Other Expense (Income): Interest expense, net 5,572 5,526 16,305 15,857 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 112 (59) 648 1,163 Miscellaneous, net (128) (600) (3,034) (1,177) 5,556 4,867 13,919 15,843 Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge 7,071 587 24,683 2,120 Income tax (benefit) expense (215) (420) 2,337 2,372 Net income (loss) before extraordinary charge 7,286 1,007 22,346 (252) Extraordinary charge-early repayment of debt, net of tax - - - (2,780) Net income (loss) $ 7,286 $ 1,007 $ 22,346 $ (3,032) Net income (loss) per common share before extraordinary charge $.26 $.04 $.81 $(.01) Extraordinary charge per common share - - - (.10) Net income (loss) per common share $.26 $.04 $.81 $(.11) Dividends per common share $.015 $.015 $.045 $.045 Weighted average shares outstanding 27,589,250 27,589,250 27,589,250 27,589,250
See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 1 PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES June 28, 1997
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 JUNE 29, 1996 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: (In thousands) Net income (loss) $ 22,346 $ (3,032) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 21,746 21,993 Gain on property disposals (165) (262) Provision for losses on accounts receivable (395) 669 Deferred income taxes 1,429 (4,453) Extraordinary charge - 4,587 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts and other receivable (11,918) (4,342) Inventories (9,140) (28,368) Prepaid expenses 27 (1,033) Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,132 9,073 Other (157) (171) Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities 24,905 (5,339) Investing Activities: Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (40,775) (28,655) Proceeds from property disposals 374 1,378 Other, net (157) 294 Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (40,558) (26,983) Financing Activities: Proceeds from notes payable to banks 49,500 70,500 Re-payments of notes payable to banks (56,500) (56,500) Proceeds from long-term debt 20,661 50,029 Payments on long-term debt (6,716) (30,600) Extraordinary charge, cash items - (3,920) Cash dividends paid (1,241) (1,241) Cash Provided By Financing Activities 5,704 28,268 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (15) (29) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents ( 9,964) (4,083) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 18,040 11,892 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 8,076 $ 7,809 Supplemental disclosure information: Cash paid during the period for Interest (net of amount capitalized) $ 13,807 $ 12,229 Income Taxes $ 1,933 $ 4,844
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 2 PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES June 28, 1997 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the period ended June 28, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended September 27, 1997. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Pilgrim's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 1996. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pilgrim's and its wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated at end-of-period exchange rates, except for non-monetary assets which are translated at equivalent dollar costs at dates of acquisition using historical rates. Operations of foreign subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period NOTE B--NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE Earnings per share for the periods ended June 28, 1997 and June 29, 1996 are based on the weighted average shares outstanding for the periods. NOTE C--INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: JUNE 28, 1997 SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 (in thousands) Live chickens and hens $ 71,357 $ 66,248 Feed, eggs and other 37,542 39,804 Finished chicken products 37,106 30,814 $ 146,005 $ 136,866 NOTE D-LONG TERM DEBT On April 15, 1997, the Company secured an additional $35 million in secured term borrowing capacity from an exiting lender at rates of 2.0% over LIBOR, with monthly principal and interest payments maturing in February 2006. On June 9, 1997, the Company secured an additional $10 million in secured term borrowing capacity from a group of existing lenders at rates equal to those under its existing $100 million revolving credit facility and maturing in June 1999. As of August 11, 1997, $20 million had been borrowed under such facilitites. ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS GENERAL. Profitability in the chicken industry can be materially affected by the commodity prices of feed grains and the commodity prices of chicken and chicken parts, each of which are determined largely by supply and demand. As a result, the chicken industry as a whole has been characterized by cyclical earnings. Cyclical fluctuations in earnings of individual chicken companies can be mitigated somewhat by (i) business strategy; (ii) product mix; (iii) sales and marketing plans; and (iv) operating efficiencies. In an effort to reduce price volatility and to generate higher, more consistent profit margins, the Company has concentrated on the production and marketing of prepared food products, which generally have higher margins than the Company's other products. Additionally, the production and sale in the U.S. of prepared food products reduces the impact of feed grain costs on the Company's profitability. As further processing is performed, feed grain costs become a decreasing percentage of a products total production costs. The following table presents certain information regarding the Company's U.S. and Mexican operations.
Net Sales Net Sales Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 29, June 28, June 29, 1997 1996 1997 1996 Sales to unaffiliated customers: United States $260,730 $232,931 $734,491 $663,883 Mexicotates 74,438 61,408 201,884 169,935 Operating Income: United States 4,622 3,510 19,002 19,218 Mexico 8,005 1,944 19,580 (1,255)
The following table presents certain items as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
Percentage of Net Sales Percentage of Net Sales Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 28, June 29, June 28, June 29, 1997 1996 1997 1996 Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of Sales 91.9 94.1 91.4 93.5 Gross Profit 8.1 5.9 8.6 6.5 Selling, General and Administrative 4.4 4.1 4.5 4.4 Operating Income 3.8 1.9 4.1 2.2 Interest Expense 1.7 1.9 1.7 1.9 Income before Income Taxes 2.1 .2 2.6 .3 Net Income (Loss) 2.2 .3 2.4 (.4) Net Income (Loss)
THIRD QUARTER 1997, COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 1996 NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $335.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1997, an increase of $40.8 million, or 13.9%, over the third quarter of fiscal 1996. The increase in consolidated net sales resulted from a $28.3 million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $227.1 million, a $13.0 million increase in Mexican chicken sales to $74.4 million offset partially by a $.5 million decrease of sales of other U.S. products to $33.6 million. The increase in U.S. chicken sales was primarily due to a 20.9% increase in dressed pounds produced offset partially by a 5.5% decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced. The increase in Mexican chicken sales was primarily due to a 16.4% increase in total revenue per dressed pound and a 4.1% increase in dressed pounds produced. The sales of other U.S. products remained constant with a slight decrease in average selling prices. The increase in U.S. dressed pounds produced was partially a result of the inclusion of recently acquired production from the Company's April, 1997 asset acquisition of Green Acre Foods, Inc. Increased revenues per dressed pound produced in Mexico was primarily the result of higher sales prices as well as generally improved economic conditions in Mexico compared to the prior year period as well as producers in Mexico adjusting total production volume in line with post-recession demand. The decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced in the U.S. was primarily the result of lower prices realized on the sales of leg quarters, resulting primarily from import duties placed on U.S. chicken products by Russia. COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales was $307.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1997, an increase of $30.9 million, or 11.2%, over the third quarter of fiscal 1996. The increase primarily resulted from a $24.3 million increase in cost of sales of U.S. operations, and a $6.6 million increase in the cost of sales of Mexican operations. The cost of sales increase in U.S. operations of $24.3 million was due to a 20.9% increase in dressed pounds produced and increased production of higher cost and margin products in prepared foods offset by lower feed ingredient costs experienced in the period. The increase in U.S. dressed pounds produced was partially a result of the inclusion of recently acquired production from the Company's April, 1997 asset acquisition of Green Acre Foods, Inc. The $6.6 million cost of sales increase in Mexican operations was primarily due to a 7.3% increase in average costs of sales per pound and by a 4.1% increase in dressed pounds produced. The increase in average costs of sales per pound was primarily the result of generally higher costs of production compared to the prior year offset partially by lower feed ingredient costs experienced in the period. GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $27.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1997, an increase of $9.9 million, or 56.9%, over the third quarter of fiscal 1996. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 8.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 from 5.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 1996. The increased gross profit resulted mainly from higher Mexico sales prices as mentioned above resulting in significantly higher margins in Mexico. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $14.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 and $11.9 million in fiscal 1996. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased slightly in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 to 4.4% compared to 4.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 1996. OPERATING INCOME. Consolidated operating income was $12.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1997, an increase of $7.2 million, or 131.5%, when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 1996, resulting primarily from higher margins experienced in the Mexican operations. INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense remained relatively constant and was $5.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 and $5.5 million in fiscal 1996, decreasing interest expense as a percentage of sales to 1.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to 1.9% in the same period last year. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax benefit in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 was $.2 million compared to a benefit of $.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1996. NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1997, COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 1996 NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $936.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997, an increase of $102.6 million, or 12.3%, over the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The increase in consolidated net sales resulted from a $63.4 million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $624.4 million, a $32.0 million increase in Mexican chicken sales to $201.9 million and a $7.2 million increase of sales of other U.S. products to $110.1 million. The increase in U.S. chicken sales was primarily due to a 12.1% increase in dressed pounds produced offset partially by a .7% decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced. The increase in Mexican chicken sales was primarily due to a 24.4% increase in total revenue per dressed pound offset slightly by a 4.5% decrease in dressed pounds produced resulting from management's decision in 1996 to reduce production due to the recession in Mexico. The increase in sales of other U.S. products was primarily the result of increased sales of the Company=s poultry by- products group for the period. Increased revenues per dressed pound produced in Mexico was primarily the result of higher sales prices as well as generally improved economic conditions in Mexico compared to the prior year period as well as producers in Mexico adjusting total production volume in line with post-recession demand. The decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced in the U.S. was primarily the result of lower prices realized on the sales of leg quarters, resulting primarily from import duties placed on U.S. chicken products by Russia. COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales was $855.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1997, an increase of $76.3 million, or 9.8%, over the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The increase resulted primarily from a $65.8 million increase in cost of sales of U.S. operations, and a $10.5 million increase in the cost of sales in Mexican operations. The cost of sales increase in U.S. operations of $65.8 million was due to a 12.1% increase in dressed pounds produced and increased production of higher cost and margin products in prepared foods offset partially by lower feed ingredient costs experienced during the period. The increase in U.S. dressed pounds produced was partially a result of the inclusion of recently acquired production from the Company's April, 1997 asset acquisition of Green Acre Foods, Inc. The $10.5 million cost of sales increase in Mexican operations was primarily due to a 11.5% increase in average costs of sales per pound offset partially by an 4.5% decrease in dressed pounds produced. The increase in average costs of sales per pound was primarily the result of generally higher production costs compared to the prior year offset partially by lower feed ingredient costs experienced in the period. GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $80.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997, an increase of $26.2 million, or 48.2%, over the same period last year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 8.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from 6.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The increased gross profit resulted mainly from higher Mexico sales prices as mentioned above resulting in significantly higher margins in Mexico. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $42.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 and $36.4 million in fiscal 1996. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased slightly in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 to 4.5% compared to 4.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 1996 OPERATING INCOME. Consolidated operating income was $38.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 1997, an increase of $20.6 million, or 114.9%, when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 1996, resulting primarily from higher margins experienced in the Mexican operations. INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense was $16.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1997, an slight increase of $.5 million, or 2.8%, when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 1996. This increase was due to slightly higher interest rates and higher outstanding debt levels when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 1996, however, resulting in a decrease in interest expense as a percentage of sales to 1.7% the third quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to 1.9% in the same period last year. MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE. Consolidated miscellaneous, net a component of AOther Expense (Income)@ was $3.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1997, includes a $2.2 million final settlement of claims resulting from the January 8, 1992 fire at the Company's prepared foods plant in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax expense in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 decreased to $2.3 million compared to an expense of $2.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1996. The lower consolidated income tax expense in contrast to higher consolidated income, resulted from increased Mexican earnings which are not currently subject to income taxes. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES At June 28, 1997, the Company's working capital increased to $99.8 million compared to $88.5 million at September 28, 1996. The current ratio at June 28, 1997 improved to 1.73 to 1 compared to 1.63 to 1 at September 28, 1996 and the Company's stockholder=s equity increased to $164.2 million from $143.1 million at September 28, 1996. Total debt to capitalization decreased to 59.5% at June 28, 1997 compared to 62.1% at September 28, 1996. The Company maintains $110 million in revolving credit facilities with available unused lines of credit of $76.0 million at August 8, 1997. Trade accounts and other receivables were $75.0 million at June 28, 1997, compared to $65.9 million at September 28, 1996. The $9.1 million, or 13.8%, increase was due primarily to increased average selling prices in Mexico as well as the inclusion of receivables from sales resulting from recently acquired production from Green Acre Foods, Inc. Allowances for doubtful accounts, as a percentage of trade accounts and notes receivable, were 4.3% at June 28, 1997 compared to 5.7% at September 28, 1996. The decrease is due to increased net sales resulting in a corresponding increase in trade accounts and other receivables with the dollar amount of allowances for doubtful accounts remaining relatively stable. Inventories were $146.0 million at June 28, 1997, compared to $136.9 million at September 28, 1996. The $9.1 million, or 6.7%, increase was due primarily to higher finished poultry products and live chickens and hens inventories due to the inclusion of newly acquired production capabilities from Green Acre Foods, Inc., offset partially by the reduction of feed costs in inventories. Accounts payable were $67.2 million at June 28, 1997, compared to $71.4 million at September 28, 1996. The $4.2 million, or 5.8%, decrease from September 28, 1996, was due primarily to the reduction in costs of feed ingredients. Capital expenditures for the third quarter of fiscal 1997 were $40.8 million and were primarily incurred to acquire or expand production capacities in the U.S., improve efficiencies, reduce costs and for the routine replacement of equipment. The Company anticipates that it will spend approximately $55 million for capital expenditures in fiscal year 1997 and expects to finance such expenditures with available operating cash flows and long-term financing. On April 15, 1997, the Company completed its acquisition of certain chicken producing assets of Green Acre Foods, Inc., an integrated chicken producer located in the Center and Nacogdoches area of East Texas. These assets are capable of producing 650,000 chickens per week. On April 15, 1997, the Company secured an additional $35 million in secured term borrowing capacity from an exiting lender at rates of 2.0% over LIBOR, with monthly principal and interest payments maturing in February 2006. On June 9, 1997, the Company secured an additional $10 million in secured term borrowing capacity from a group of existing lenders at rates equal to those under its existing $100 million revolving credit facility and maturing in June 1999. As of August 11, 1997, $20 million had been borrowed under such facilitites. PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the three months ended June 28, 1997. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION Date AUGUST 11, 1997 Richard A. Cogdill Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Treasurer in his respective capacity as such 3
 

5 9-MOS SEP-27-1997 JUN-28-1997 8,076 0 75,006 0 146,005 236,798 503,322 194,769 566,725 136,969 210,358 0 0 276 163,963 566,725 936,375 936,375 855,738 897,773 13,919 (395) 16,305 24,683 2,337 22,346 0 0 0 22,346 .81 .81