<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
SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-25-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-23-2000
<CASH>                                           3,718
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,909
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,459
<INVENTORY>                                     39,204
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               139,117
<PP&E>                                         172,641
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,327
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,663
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,769
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,453
<OTHER-SE>                                     107,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,663
<SALES>                                        131,170
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               131,170
<CGS>                                           51,975
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,975
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,180
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,630
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,806
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,824
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,824
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21