<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 29, 1997 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-28-1997             JUN-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997             MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                           8,074                   8,074
<SECURITIES>                                       852                     852
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,243                  29,243
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      8,734                   8,734
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,687                  62,687
<PP&E>                                         103,127                 103,127
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,399                  72,399
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 100,473                 100,473
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,090                  34,090
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<COMMON>                                        14,102                  14,102
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      51,890                  51,890
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   100,473                 100,473
<SALES>                                         64,127                 188,032
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                64,127                 188,032
<CGS>                                           22,686                  65,293
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,140                 104,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (702)                 (2,488)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,003                  20,585
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,999                   8,203
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,004                  12,382
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,004                  12,382
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45                     .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43                     .90