<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                          26,674
<SECURITIES>                                     1,770
<RECEIVABLES>                                  276,044
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,058)
<INVENTORY>                                    207,662
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               570,711
<PP&E>                                       1,411,524
<DEPRECIATION>                                (648,415)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,835,053
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          348,643
<BONDS>                                        487,959
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     72,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     652,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,835,053
<SALES>                                      2,300,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,300,127
<CGS>                                        1,803,427
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,803,427
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,546
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,861
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                210,930
<INCOME-TAX>                                    82,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            129,849
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   129,849
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40