<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 28, 1998 AMD 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>                   9-MOS                    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                           3,354
<SECURITIES>                                     1,561
<RECEIVABLES>                                   46,793
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,342)
<INVENTORY>                                     18,548
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,101
<PP&E>                                         125,412
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,687
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 235,179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,035
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,750
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,168
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   235,179
<SALES>                                        255,268
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               255,268
<CGS>                                           96,906
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,906
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,226
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,679
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,174
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,826
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,826
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.35