<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1998
<CASH>                                          32,419
<SECURITIES>                                    24,363
<RECEIVABLES>                                  319,427
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,026
<INVENTORY>                                    234,042
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               905,068
<PP&E>                                       1,842,159
<DEPRECIATION>                                 861,886
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,269,176
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          431,738
<BONDS>                                        846,415
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     778,007
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,269,176
<SALES>                                        637,315
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               673,315
<CGS>                                          518,058
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  518,058
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   905
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,356
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,372
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,005
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,495
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43