<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 4,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                                             762
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  325,352
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    462,714
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               836,109
<PP&E>                                       1,375,950
<DEPRECIATION>                                 825,938
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,471,403
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          257,637
<BONDS>                                        275,609
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,688
<OTHER-SE>                                     728,078
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,471,403
<SALES>                                      1,093,818
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,093,818
<CGS>                                          898,936
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  898,936
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,058
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,876
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,474
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,402
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,402
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12