<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL
3, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-03-1999
<CASH>                                             890
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  328,579
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    387,671
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               768,816
<PP&E>                                       1,391,717
<DEPRECIATION>                                 817,258
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,468,672
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,845
<BONDS>                                        291,548
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,482
<OTHER-SE>                                     730,592
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,468,672
<SALES>                                        584,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               584,000
<CGS>                                          481,356
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  481,356
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,329
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,571
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,327
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,244
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,244
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.84