<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 31, 1995 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                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-29-1996             JUN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          10,790                  10,790
<SECURITIES>                                    16,091                  16,091
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,424                  36,424
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,504                   3,504
<INVENTORY>                                     10,872                  10,872
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                86,613                  86,613
<PP&E>                                         103,265                 103,265
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,281                  72,281
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 126,510                 126,510
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,048                  35,048
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<COMMON>                                        15,796                  15,796
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      75,192                  75,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   126,510                 126,510
<SALES>                                         67,158                 130,946
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,158                 130,946
<CGS>                                           24,001                  47,386
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,786                  75,622
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (241)                     460
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   722                   1,415
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,612                   8,480
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,700                   3,025
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,912                   4,453
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,912                   4,453
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26                     .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26                     .30