<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements as of and for the year ended January 3, 1999 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>                                           Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                   DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                     JAN-03-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                            1
<CASH>                                                 6,691
<SECURITIES>                                               0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         57,817
<ALLOWANCES>                                             600
<INVENTORY>                                           41,010
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     138,551
<PP&E>                                               454,959
<DEPRECIATION>                                       196,630
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       825,228
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                133,931
<BONDS>                                              491,234
<COMMON>                                              12,055
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                0
<OTHER-SE>                                             3,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         825,228
<SALES>                                              928,502
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     928,502
<CGS>                                                534,919
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        534,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     326,293
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    39,947
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       23,245
<INCOME-TAX>                                           8,367
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   14,878
<DISCONTINUED>                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                          14,878
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           1.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           1.75