<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's February 28, 1998 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-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1998
<CASH>                                           1,232
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  142,615
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    394,028
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               564,338
<PP&E>                                         356,814
<DEPRECIATION>                                 112,779
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,073,159
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          283,334
<BONDS>                                        309,218
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           216
<OTHER-SE>                                     414,948
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,073,159
<SALES>                                      1,212,788
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,212,788
<CGS>                                          864,053
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  864,053
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,189
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 84,866
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,795
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             50,071
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.62