<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 MARCH 30, 1996 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                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-29-1996             JUN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996             MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          17,528                  17,528
<SECURITIES>                                    17,170                  17,170
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,626                  35,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,420)                 (3,420)
<INVENTORY>                                      9,250                   9,250
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                92,335                  92,335
<PP&E>                                          99,837                  99,837
<DEPRECIATION>                                (70,488)                (70,488)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 123,071                 123,071
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,137                  30,137
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        15,834                  15,834
<OTHER-SE>                                      76,873                  76,873
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   123,071                 123,071
<SALES>                                         63,100                 194,046
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                63,100                 194,046
<CGS>                                           24,988                  72,375
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   33,141                 108,762
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (586)                   (490)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   727                   2,142
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,739                  14,219
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,213                   5,238
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,708                   8,161
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,708                   8,161
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25                     .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25                     .55