<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          49,840
<SECURITIES>                                     7,409
<RECEIVABLES>                                  303,092
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,420
<INVENTORY>                                    217,261
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               661,416
<PP&E>                                       1,956,673
<DEPRECIATION>                                 942,830
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,082,983
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          436,069
<BONDS>                                        686,826
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     814,417
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,082,983
<SALES>                                      2,557,917
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,557,917
<CGS>                                        1,968,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,968,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,320
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              54,779
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                339,598
<INCOME-TAX>                                   153,989
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            191,996
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 11,753
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   180,243
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.73