<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, 1995, 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-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          32,941
<SECURITIES>                                     4,562
<RECEIVABLES>                                  315,766
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,102)
<INVENTORY>                                    226,666
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               632,886
<PP&E>                                       1,474,121
<DEPRECIATION>                                (684,513)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,951,374
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          397,091
<BONDS>                                        529,986
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    172,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     673,781
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,951,374
<SALES>                                        645,142
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               645,142
<CGS>                                          504,803
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  504,803
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   519
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,776
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,028
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,950
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,537
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,537
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     $.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     $.39