<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 27, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                             680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  363,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    401,304
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               807,822
<PP&E>                                       1,350,435
<DEPRECIATION>                                 815,806
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,425,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          251,822
<BONDS>                                        168,835
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,066
<OTHER-SE>                                     811,419
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,425,913
<SALES>                                      1,651,176
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,651,176
<CGS>                                        1,348,387
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,348,387
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,419
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,682
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,737
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,737
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.62