<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's August 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,473
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  154,550
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    345,972
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               539,545
<PP&E>                                         370,797
<DEPRECIATION>                                 124,640
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,047,706
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          275,872
<BONDS>                                        297,407
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           217
<OTHER-SE>                                     409,528
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,047,706
<SALES>                                        662,314
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               662,314
<CGS>                                          467,767
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  467,767
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,952
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,809
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,422
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,387
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,387
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.53