<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's November 30, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,997
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  198,106
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    373,631
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               591,332
<PP&E>                                         356,281
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,063
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,119,513
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          336,919
<BONDS>                                        349,901
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           214
<OTHER-SE>                                     358,351
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,119,513
<SALES>                                        873,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               873,444
<CGS>                                          649,019
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  810,158
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,468
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,818
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,065
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,753
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,753
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.10