<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL
2, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          32,006
<SECURITIES>                                     8,260
<RECEIVABLES>                                  360,292
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,451
<INVENTORY>                                    267,070
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               748,932
<PP&E>                                       2,079,491
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,070,409
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,292,964
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          423,712
<BONDS>                                        843,346
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     859,134
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,292,964
<SALES>                                        676,299
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               676,299
<CGS>                                          524,638
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  524,638
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   568
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,519
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 69,479
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,422
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             45,017
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    45,017
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45