<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 3, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                             373
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  317,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    420,295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               786,679
<PP&E>                                       1,340,154
<DEPRECIATION>                                 799,623
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,408,743
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          240,093
<BONDS>                                        164,287
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,968
<OTHER-SE>                                     799,630
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,408,743
<SALES>                                      2,226,075
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,226,075
<CGS>                                        1,820,131
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,820,131
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                102,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,972
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             68,965
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    68,965
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.34