<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's February 29, 2000 Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000016918
<NAME> CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-2000
<CASH>                                          34,308
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  291,108
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    615,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               995,997
<PP&E>                                         707,338
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,367
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,348,791
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          438,217
<BONDS>                                      1,237,135
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           220
<OTHER-SE>                                     520,620
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,348,791
<SALES>                                      2,340,469
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,340,469
<CGS>                                        1,618,009
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,618,009
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             106,082
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                128,959
<INCOME-TAX>                                    51,584
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,375
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    77,375
<EPS-BASIC>                                       4.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.18