<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 28, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          17,324
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  358,115
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    371,965
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               776,348
<PP&E>                                       1,301,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                 774,296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,374,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          223,259
<BONDS>                                        177,177
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     771,749
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,374,690
<SALES>                                      1,697,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,697,743
<CGS>                                        1,372,646
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,372,646
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,864
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,102
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,907
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,552)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,355
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.64