<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S AUGUST 31, 1997 FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000016918
<NAME> CANANDAIGUA BRANDS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1997
<CASH>                                           4,278
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  160,885
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    334,756
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               520,481
<PP&E>                                         357,630
<DEPRECIATION>                                 110,918
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,032,950
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          283,270
<BONDS>                                        298,995
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           215
<OTHER-SE>                                     379,198
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,032,950
<SALES>                                        607,535
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               607,535
<CGS>                                          442,044
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  553,527
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,984
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,573
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,411
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,411
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15