<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 27, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                          12,793
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  241,551
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,001
<INVENTORY>                                     90,535
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               360,502
<PP&E>                                         694,712
<DEPRECIATION>                                 368,580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 761,034
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          184,968
<BONDS>                                        128,960
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,991
<OTHER-SE>                                     404,426
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   761,034
<SALES>                                        849,902
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               849,902
<CGS>                                          679,827
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  679,827
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               104,471
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,673
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,204
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,204
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,204
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94