<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 
OCTOBER 2, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-02-1994
<CASH>                                          22,450
<SECURITIES>                                     3,458
<RECEIVABLES>                                  294,698
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,971)
<INVENTORY>                                    201,452
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               571,032
<PP&E>                                       1,405,319
<DEPRECIATION>                                (633,524)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,837,068
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          357,130
<BONDS>                                        474,492
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    172,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     658,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,837,068
<SALES>                                      1,692,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,692,941
<CGS>                                        1,332,628
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,332,628
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   656
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              27,007
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                152,139
<INCOME-TAX>                                    59,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             93,444
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    93,444
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99