<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANTA CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE TWELVE
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                          27,130
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  199,151
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,414
<INVENTORY>                                     70,750
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               310,806
<PP&E>                                         592,707
<DEPRECIATION>                                 278,989
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 678,809
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          122,850
<BONDS>                                        134,953
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,056
<OTHER-SE>                                     385,056
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   678,809
<SALES>                                      1,022,650
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,022,650
<CGS>                                          806,651
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  806,651
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               118,068
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,891
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 89,050
<INCOME-TAX>                                    35,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,550
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,550
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.75