<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000019731
<NAME> CHESAPEAKE CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
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<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<SALES>                                    239,100,000
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39