<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains financial information extracted from the consolidated
financial statements of CDI Corp. and Subsidiaries and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           4,490
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  239,504
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,059
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               271,813
<PP&E>                                         101,281
<DEPRECIATION>                                  70,804
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 328,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          110,078
<BONDS>                                         67,865
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,985
<OTHER-SE>                                     143,384
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   328,776
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,270,453
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,166,064
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,454
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,383
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,663
<DISCONTINUED>                                (25,524)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,139
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0