<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MATTEL INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 500,625 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 746,661 <ALLOWANCES> 14,354 <INVENTORY> 372,686 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,770,841 <PP&E> 872,773 <DEPRECIATION> 293,160 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,893,522 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 960,368 <BONDS> 374,889 <COMMON> 279,058 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,168,729 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,893,522 <SALES> 3,785,958 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,785,958 <CGS> 1,877,335 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,877,335 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,287,353 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 75,529 <INCOME-PRETAX> 545,741 <INCOME-TAX> 168,100 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 377,641 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 377,641 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.36 <FN> Notes - Per share data reflects the effects of a five-for-four stock split distributed to shareholders in March 1996. Previously submitted financial data schedules have not been restated for this recapitalization. Fully diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 1996 has been submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K, Item 601 (b)(11), although it is not required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of APB Opinion No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.