<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME, CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #3 FIXED ASSETS AND STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         134,032
<SECURITIES>                                     1,327
<RECEIVABLES>                                  366,720
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,934
<INVENTORY>                                    275,374
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,233,198
<PP&E>                                       1,095,719
<DEPRECIATION>                                 601,178
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,983,258
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,233,697
<BONDS>                                      1,300,221
<COMMON>                                       323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          200,000
<PREFERRED>                                      2,461
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,847,755
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,983,258
<SALES>                                      1,198,847
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,799,916
<CGS>                                          745,560
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,119,001
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,013,148
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             145,682
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                522,085
<INCOME-TAX>                                   180,338
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            341,747
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   341,747
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.26