<ARTICLE> 5

<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC. AND
ITS SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER 25, 1999 AND THE RELATED STATEMENTS OF
CONSOLIDATED INCOME AND CASH FLOWS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-24-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-27-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-25-1999
<CASH>                                          11,052
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,881
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,095
<INVENTORY>                                     23,076
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               112,058
<PP&E>                                         155,878
<DEPRECIATION>                                  96,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 309,775
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,701
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,389
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,727
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   309,775
<SALES>                                        250,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               250,876
<CGS>                                           89,669
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   89,669
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,104
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,025
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,985
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,313
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,672
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,672
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04