[ARTICLE] 5
[CIK] 0000019731
[NAME] CHESAPEAKE CORP /VA/
[MULTIPLIER] 1

                             
[PERIOD-TYPE]                   YEAR
[FISCAL-YEAR-END]                          DEC-31-1996
[PERIOD-END]                               DEC-31-1996
[CASH]                                       9,800,000
[SECURITIES]                                         0
[RECEIVABLES]                              153,900,000
[ALLOWANCES]                                 4,700,000
[INVENTORY]                                134,400,000
[CURRENT-ASSETS]                           325,800,000
[PP&E]                                   1,619,800,000
[DEPRECIATION]                             756,300,000
[TOTAL-ASSETS]                           1,290,200,000
[CURRENT-LIABILITIES]                      166,800,000
[BONDS]                                    499,400,000
[COMMON]                                    23,400,000
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY]                                0
[PREFERRED]                                          0
[OTHER-SE]                                 445,700,000
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY]             1,290,200,000
[SALES]                                  1,158,600,000
[TOTAL-REVENUES]                         1,172,000,000
[CGS]                                      843,000,000
[TOTAL-COSTS]                            1,084,300,000
[OTHER-EXPENSES]                             6,200,000
[LOSS-PROVISION]                               500,000
[INTEREST-EXPENSE]                          33,900,000
[INCOME-PRETAX]                             47,100,000
[INCOME-TAX]                                17,000,000
[INCOME-CONTINUING]                         30,100,000
[DISCONTINUED]                                       0
[EXTRAORDINARY]                                      0
[CHANGES]                                            0
[NET-INCOME]                                30,100,000
[EPS-PRIMARY]                                     1.27
[EPS-DILUTED]                                     1.27