<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's February 28, 1997 Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000016918
<NAME> CANANDAIGUA WINE COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                          10,010
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  142,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    326,626
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               501,015
<PP&E>                                         355,968
<DEPRECIATION>                                 106,416
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,020,901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          246,573
<BONDS>                                        338,884
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           214
<OTHER-SE>                                     364,519
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,020,901
<SALES>                                      1,135,013
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,135,013
<CGS>                                          844,181
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  844,181
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,050
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,791
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,116
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,675
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,675
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40