<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 
30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          44,751
<SECURITIES>                                    54,480
<RECEIVABLES>                                  345,321
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,108
<INVENTORY>                                    244,580
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               730,318
<PP&E>                                       1,725,602
<DEPRECIATION>                                 802,792
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,326,509
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          412,570
<BONDS>                                        761,540
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    172,497
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     779,292
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,326,509
<SALES>                                      1,359,086
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,359,086
<CGS>                                        1,035,096
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,035,096
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,361
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,192
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                149,742
<INCOME-TAX>                                    58,998
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             90,003
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    90,003
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .90