<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
         MATTEL INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE
         MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
         REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         144,659
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,000,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                    23,303
<INVENTORY>                                    512,847
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,828,621
<PP&E>                                         942,235
<DEPRECIATION>                                 333,885
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,261,714
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          948,457
<BONDS>                                        562,910
<COMMON>                                       296,729
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              827
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,339,138
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,261,714
<SALES>                                        693,520
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               693,520
<CGS>                                          370,709
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  370,709
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               570,794
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,636
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (267,619)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (62,995)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (204,624)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (204,624)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.67)

<FN>
Note -

Fully diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 1997
has been submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K, Item 601 (b)(11),
although it is contrary to paragraph 40 of APB Opinion No. 15 because it
produces an anti-dilutive result.