<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BANTA CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          40,571
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  210,275
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,564
<INVENTORY>                                     66,456
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               329,171
<PP&E>                                         640,461
<DEPRECIATION>                                 316,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 705,454
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          127,448
<BONDS>                                        134,121
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     405,505
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   705,454
<SALES>                                        794,472
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               794,472
<CGS>                                          636,128
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  636,128
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                92,497
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,894
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 59,657
<INCOME-TAX>                                    23,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,957
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,957
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.15<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15<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
RECAPITALIZATION.
</FN>