<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements as of and for the three months ended April 2, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000317540
<NAME>                        Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. Dollars


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                               JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                 APR-02-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                        1
<CASH>                                             6,622
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     58,547
<ALLOWANCES>                                         894
<INVENTORY>                                       44,355
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 142,086
<PP&E>                                           706,601
<DEPRECIATION>                                   250,593
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,102,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            115,397
<BONDS>                                          754,530
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
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<OTHER-SE>                                        15,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,102,341
<SALES>                                          228,184
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 228,184
<CGS>                                            122,243
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  93,996
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                13,936
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (3,010)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (1,053)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (1,957)
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<NET-INCOME>                                      (1,957)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        (0.22)
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