<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's May 31, 1998 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                             765
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  169,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    362,915
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               555,327
<PP&E>                                         362,443
<DEPRECIATION>                                 118,780
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,063,447
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          265,275
<BONDS>                                        303,311
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           216
<OTHER-SE>                                     429,581
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,063,447
<SALES>                                        312,928
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               312,928
<CGS>                                          219,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  219,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,527
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,077
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,462
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,615
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,615
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.70