<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,
1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-1995
<CASH>                                          32,030
<SECURITIES>                                    39,043
<RECEIVABLES>                                  335,381
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,933)
<INVENTORY>                                    248,079
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               706,267
<PP&E>                                       1,516,113
<DEPRECIATION>                                (699,764)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,065,485
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          404,786
<BONDS>                                        601,585
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    172,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     706,753
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,065,485
<SALES>                                      1,336,868
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,336,868
<CGS>                                        1,045,522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,045,522
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,034
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,337
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                132,142
<INCOME-TAX>                                    51,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,650
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    81,650
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .81