<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's May 31, 1997 Form 10-Q 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,621
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  160,797
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    290,286
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               471,760
<PP&E>                                         347,829
<DEPRECIATION>                                 106,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 981,658
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          216,034
<BONDS>                                        328,969
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           215
<OTHER-SE>                                     366,103
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   981,658
<SALES>                                        306,011
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               306,011
<CGS>                                          225,279
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  280,504
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,479
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,028
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,982
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,046
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,046
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.52