<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000107140
<NAME> JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,078
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   92,599
<ALLOWANCES>                                    30,115
<INVENTORY>                                     45,622
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               121,470
<PP&E>                                          53,439
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,702
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 229,774
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          102,260
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        20,392
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,603
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   229,774
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               174,923
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   58,201
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                98,107
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,930
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,572
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,358
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,358
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69