<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MATTEL
INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         212,454
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,024,254
<ALLOWANCES>                                    41,204
<INVENTORY>                                    584,358
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,057,810
<PP&E>                                       1,112,181
<DEPRECIATION>                                 375,724
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,262,165
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,317,211
<BONDS>                                        983,507
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        772
<COMMON>                                       300,381
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,519,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,262,165
<SALES>                                      4,781,892
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,781,892
<CGS>                                        2,418,899
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,418,899
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,787,097
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             110,833
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                465,063
<INCOME-TAX>                                   132,799
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            332,264
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   332,264
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.11 <F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.10 <F1>
<FN> 
Notes - 
Amounts disclosed as EPS-Primary and EPS-Diluted represent Basic and 
Diluted Earnings per Share as required by Statement of Financial Accounting 
Standards No. 125, "Earnings per Share".
</FN>