<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 
OCTOBER 3, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1998
<CASH>                                             942
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  347,342
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    416,258
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               812,702
<PP&E>                                       1,361,927
<DEPRECIATION>                                 817,751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,443,629
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          248,108
<BONDS>                                        271,909
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,486
<OTHER-SE>                                     712,622
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,443,629
<SALES>                                      1,672,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,672,130
<CGS>                                        1,378,075
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,378,075
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,389
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,449
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,225
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,224
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,224
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26