<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's November 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                           2,298
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  184,992
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    419,392
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               625,977
<PP&E>                                         350,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                 108,802
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,131,513
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          384,978
<BONDS>                                        275,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           215
<OTHER-SE>                                     398,463
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,131,513
<SALES>                                        930,238
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               930,238
<CGS>                                          666,747
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  838,519
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,885
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,834
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,022
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.05