<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          41,953
<SECURITIES>                                    40,947
<RECEIVABLES>                                  362,222
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,255
<INVENTORY>                                    254,579
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               762,066
<PP&E>                                       1,798,739
<DEPRECIATION>                                 835,375
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,427,869
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          473,142
<BONDS>                                        832,027
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    151,709
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     773,464
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,427,869
<SALES>                                      2,062,508
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,062,508
<CGS>                                        1,580,572
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,580,572
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,810
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              39,620
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                216,052
<INCOME-TAX>                                    85,125
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            129,911
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   129,911
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.31