<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's November 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1998
<CASH>                                           2,141
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  173,760
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    441,048
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               659,322
<PP&E>                                         376,872
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,167,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          387,862
<BONDS>                                        291,386
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           217
<OTHER-SE>                                     423,413
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,167,233
<SALES>                                      1,037,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,037,900
<CGS>                                          728,526
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  728,526
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 83,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                    34,076
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             49,037
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,037
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.60