<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANTA CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          27,583
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  200,219
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,682
<INVENTORY>                                     69,638
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               306,700
<PP&E>                                         615,953
<DEPRECIATION>                                 292,422
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 683,590
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          116,649
<BONDS>                                        139,005
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,116
<OTHER-SE>                                     389,350
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   683,590
<SALES>                                        271,270
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               271,270
<CGS>                                          221,547
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  221,547
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                32,279
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 281
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,738
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,838
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,838
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28<F1>
<FN>
<F1>PER SHARE AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED FOR THREE-FOR-TWO STOCK SPLIT
DISTRIBUTED IN MARCH 1996.  PRIOR PERIOD SCHEDULES HAVE NOT BEEN RESTATED
FOR THIS STOCK SPLIT.
</FN>