WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

TAGGING FOR EXHIBIT:  FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
Exhibit (27)
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEET,  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF INCOME,  CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #4 FIXED  ASSETS AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                        SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                  144,974
<SECURITIES>                                              1,930
<RECEIVABLES>                       <F1>              1,848,131
<ALLOWANCES>                        <F1>                 65,861
<INVENTORY>                                             235,568
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      3,115,141
<PP&E>                              <F2>              2,807,805
<DEPRECIATION>                      <F2>              1,533,957
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                        8,232,345
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 3,214,803
<BONDS>                                               1,710,533
<COMMON>                                                323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                   300,000
<PREFERRED>                                               2,110
<OTHER-SE>                                            1,385,563
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                          8,232,345
<SALES>                                               1,431,310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      3,073,396
<CGS>                                                   847,486
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         1,224,640
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         73,395
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      122,583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         618,466
<INCOME-TAX>                                            212,929
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     405,537
<DISCONTINUED>                                            7,753
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                            413,290
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              1.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              1.47
<FN>
<F1>  Receivables  are  comprised  of gross trade  receivables  of $368,988  and
short-term  finance  receivables  of  $1,479,143.  Allowances  are  comprised of
allowances  for  trade  receivables  of  $22,513  and  for  short-term   finance
receivables  of $43,348.  
<F2>  Property,  plant and  equipment  are  comprised  of gross fixed  assets of
$1,133,112  and  rental   equipment  and  related   inventories  of  $1,674,693.
Depreciation  is  comprised of  depreciation  on fixed assets of $663,002 and on
rental equipment and related inventories of $870,955.
</FN>