<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                          34,258
<SECURITIES>                                    28,133
<RECEIVABLES>                                  356,770
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,410
<INVENTORY>                                    244,605
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               723,732
<PP&E>                                       1,942,940
<DEPRECIATION>                                 901,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,419,319
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          492,694
<BONDS>                                        742,764
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    119,706
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     840,595
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,419,319
<SALES>                                      1,401,815
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,401,815
<CGS>                                        1,083,698
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,083,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,650
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,438
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                144,173
<INCOME-TAX>                                    55,795
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             87,277
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    87,277
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .82