<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's August 31, 1999 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-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,340
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  344,652
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    602,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,025,455
<PP&E>                                         700,573
<DEPRECIATION>                                 147,131
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,380,288
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          499,031
<BONDS>                                      1,274,295
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           218
<OTHER-SE>                                     468,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,380,288
<SALES>                                      1,151,749
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,151,749
<CGS>                                          806,499
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              50,675
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,244
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,297
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,947
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<NET-INCOME>                                    31,947
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.78
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