<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
         MATTEL INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD
         ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
         REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                          86,225
<SECURITIES>                                    20,417
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,274,429
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (22,691)
<INVENTORY>                                    360,741
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,878,356
<PP&E>                                         644,927
<DEPRECIATION>                               (246,037)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,785,630
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,308,990
<BONDS>                                        258,539
<COMMON>                                       178,611
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          9
<OTHER-SE>                                     951,374
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,785,630
<SALES>                                      2,174,616
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,174,616
<CGS>                                        1,093,047
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,093,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               713,511
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              37,887
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                330,171
<INCOME-TAX>                                   117,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            212,971
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   212,971
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15