<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,587
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  276,521
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,670
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               318,964
<PP&E>                                          75,313
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,144
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 377,001
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          129,909
<BONDS>                                         22,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,994
<OTHER-SE>                                     212,419
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   377,001
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,121,678
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  861,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,186
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,694
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,431
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,431
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0