<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>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                     MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                                 129,687
<SECURITIES>                                             1,654
<RECEIVABLES>                       <F1>             2,039,111
<ALLOWANCES>                        <F1>                76,781
<INVENTORY>                                            260,727
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     2,705,057
<PP&E>                              <F2>             2,887,401
<DEPRECIATION>                      <F2>             1,582,946
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       7,842,303
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                2,932,377
<BONDS>                                              1,710,427
<COMMON>                                               323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  310,000
<PREFERRED>                                              2,010
<OTHER-SE>                                           1,260,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         7,842,303
<SALES>                                                510,382
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     1,081,822
<CGS>                                                  296,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          436,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        25,904
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      48,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        215,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                            72,809
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    142,271
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                           142,271
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.52
<FN>
<F1>  Receivables  are  comprised  of gross trade  receivables  of $444,669  and
short-term  finance  receivables  of  $1,594,442.  Allowances  are  comprised of
allowances  for  trade  receivables  of  $25,667  and  for  short-term   finance
receivables  of $51,114.  <F2>  Property,  plant and  equipment are comprised of
gross fixed assets of $1,160,064 and rental equipment and related inventories of
$1,727,337.  Depreciation  is  comprised  of  depreciation  on fixed  assets  of
$685,079 and on rental  equipment  and related  inventories  of $897,867. 
</FN>