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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-2000
<CASH>                                          21,670
<SECURITIES>                                    21,133
<RECEIVABLES>                                  367,102
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,631
<INVENTORY>                                    275,518
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               743,076
<PP&E>                                       2,094,458
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,094,844
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,284,737
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          421,157
<BONDS>                                        813,544
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     875,847
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,284,737
<SALES>                                      1,364,985
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,364,985
<CGS>                                        1,058,442
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,058,442
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,356
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,683
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                140,563
<INCOME-TAX>                                    53,414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             91,417
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    91,417
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.91