DNS: CNAME and OTHER data error when reloading named (BIND)

[ATC]

When reloading the nameserver, error messages similar to this appears in the system log file:

Apr  5 19:45:24 host named[6556]: domain.com has CNAME and other data (invalid)
Apr  5 19:45:24 host named[6556]: domain.com.hosts:13:domain.com: CNAME and OTHER data error
Apr  5 19:45:24 host named[6556]: master zone "domain.com" (IN) rejected due to errors (serial ####)

[ATC]

The problem is usually caused by records like this:
       IN CNAME        machine.domain.com.
because newer versions of BIND will refuse to assign a canonical name (CNAME) record to a host name that also has NS or MX records assigned to it.

Rewrite using the IP address if you really need a pointer for the domain name:
        IN A           1.2.3.4

Source: http://www.isc.org/ml-archives/bind-users/1999/06/msg00899.html