<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 28, 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> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                           5,696
<SECURITIES>                                     3,675
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,197
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,474
<INVENTORY>                                      8,743
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,399
<PP&E>                                         102,381
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,298
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  96,012
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,341
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        14,010
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      49,316   
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    96,012
<SALES>                                         60,702
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,702
<CGS>                                           21,961
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,766
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   674   
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,147
<INCOME-TAX>                                       469
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                678
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       678
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05