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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                          31,144
<SECURITIES>                                    22,816
<RECEIVABLES>                                  365,807
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,544
<INVENTORY>                                    271,557
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               751,689
<PP&E>                                       2,101,713
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,114,698
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,278,728
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          445,258
<BONDS>                                        775,176
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     883,109
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,278,728
<SALES>                                      2,042,454
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,042,454
<CGS>                                        1,588,414
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,588,414
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,649
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,709
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                199,463
<INCOME-TAX>                                    75,796
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            129,949
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   129,949
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.30