<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 
APRIL 4, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1998
<CASH>                                             399
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  347,697
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    457,066
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               857,458
<PP&E>                                       1,355,824
<DEPRECIATION>                                 816,055
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,479,190
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          292,885
<BONDS>                                        220,429
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,834
<OTHER-SE>                                     760,202
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,479,190
<SALES>                                        556,736
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               556,736
<CGS>                                          455,059
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  455,059
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (5,004)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,905)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (3,099)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,099)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.16)