<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's August 31, 1996 Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>        0000016918
<NAME>       CANANDAIGUA WINE COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,030
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  152,343
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    328,505
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               501,543
<PP&E>                                         353,699
<DEPRECIATION>                                  99,199
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,038,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          302,695
<BONDS>                                        307,204
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           214
<OTHER-SE>                                     364,957
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,038,191
<SALES>                                        555,711
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               555,711
<CGS>                                          412,969
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  515,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,803
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,069
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,627
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,442
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,442
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68