<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, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
         REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         694,947
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,122,153
<ALLOWANCES>                                    30,737
<INVENTORY>                                    428,844
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,461,736
<PP&E>                                         938,543
<DEPRECIATION>                                 336,946
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,803,791
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,173,424
<BONDS>                                        675,536
<COMMON>                                       300,381
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        772
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,520,917
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,803,791
<SALES>                                      4,834,616
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,834,616
<CGS>                                        2,434,616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,434,616
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,884,788
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              90,130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                425,082
<INCOME-TAX>                                   135,288
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            289,794
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  4,610
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   285,184
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.93

<FN>
Notes -

Amounts disclosed as EPS-Primary and EPS-Diluted represent Basic and
Diluted Earnings per Share as required by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 125, "Earnings per Share".