<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995 AND DECEMBER 31, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995 DEC-31-1994
<CASH> 27,300 26,674
<SECURITIES> 34,324 1,770
<RECEIVABLES> 318,765 276,044
<ALLOWANCES> 6,330 6,058
<INVENTORY> 231,476 207,662
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 661,783 570,711
<PP&E> 1,609,247 1,411,524
<DEPRECIATION> 743,618 648,415
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,115,413 1,835,053
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 432,455 348,643
<BONDS> 591,894 487,959
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 172,500 172,500
<COMMON> 7,175 7,175
<OTHER-SE> 739,074 652,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,115,413 1,835,053
<SALES> 2,706,173 2,300,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,706,173 2,300,127
<CGS> 2,106,987 1,803,427
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,106,987 1,803,427
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 3,168 2,546
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 44,004 35,861
<INCOME-PRETAX> 270,790 210,930
<INCOME-TAX> 106,640 82,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 164,519 129,849
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 164,519 129,849
<EPS-PRIMARY> $1.72 $1.34
<EPS-DILUTED> $1.64 $1.31