<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 28, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          30,719
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  350,830
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    370,896
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               789,622
<PP&E>                                       1,320,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                 785,836
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,397,956
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          252,489
<BONDS>                                        177,640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     775,715
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,397,956
<SALES>                                      2,243,327
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,243,327
<CGS>                                        1,830,249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,830,249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,064
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,519
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,086
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             88,433
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,552)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    84,881
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.15