<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 26, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1999
<CASH>                                          41,942
<SECURITIES>                                    10,182
<RECEIVABLES>                                  361,735
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,702
<INVENTORY>                                    250,332
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               721,084
<PP&E>                                       2,031,017
<DEPRECIATION>                                 991,737
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,289,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          454,065
<BONDS>                                        790,607
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,175
<OTHER-SE>                                     873,710
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,289,685
<SALES>                                      1,792,260
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,792,260
<CGS>                                        1,368,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,368,603
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,206
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,230
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                210,525
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,708
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            136,578
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   136,578
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.33