<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 28,
1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1999
<CASH>                                          58,087
<SECURITIES>                                    10,520
<RECEIVABLES>                                  340,725
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,654
<INVENTORY>                                    228,132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               667,641
<PP&E>                                       1,954,837
<DEPRECIATION>                                 957,834
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,085,640
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          451,550
<BONDS>                                        645,995
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     817,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,085,640
<SALES>                                        560,479
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               560,479
<CGS>                                          425,902
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  425,902
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   601
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,470
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,375
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,591
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,947
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,947
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43