<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>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          8,055
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 324,674
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,972
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              345,646
<PP&E>                                         93,566
<DEPRECIATION>                                 58,325
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                432,168
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         163,405
<BONDS>                                        23,620
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                        1,995
<OTHER-SE>                                    230,586
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  432,168
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,157,148
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 867,308
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                852
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                54,667
<INCOME-TAX>                                   21,593
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            32,412
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   32,412
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.63