<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                          30,398
<SECURITIES>                                    26,716
<RECEIVABLES>                                  359,839
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,638
<INVENTORY>                                    245,788
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               713,162
<PP&E>                                       1,960,451
<DEPRECIATION>                                 918,231
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,409,710
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          499,360
<BONDS>                                        705,671
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     871,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,409,719
<SALES>                                      2,111,403
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,111,403
<CGS>                                        1,639,879
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,639,879
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,280
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,420
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                211,923
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,865
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            126,111
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   126,111
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20