<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, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-1995
<CASH>                                          21,811
<SECURITIES>                                    57,762
<RECEIVABLES>                                  328,930
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,791)
<INVENTORY>                                    247,699
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               698,768
<PP&E>                                       1,541,889
<DEPRECIATION>                                (717,062)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,066,126
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          392,692
<BONDS>                                        588,097
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    172,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     727,750
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,066,126
<SALES>                                      2,023,866
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,023,866
<CGS>                                        1,582,572
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,582,572
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,564
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,165
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                199,294
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,270
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            122,290
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   122,290
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.22