<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MATTEL
INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                               1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          50,215
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  914,892
<ALLOWANCES>                                    34,532
<INVENTORY>                                    567,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,788,906
<PP&E>                                       1,120,574
<DEPRECIATION>                                 387,039
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,977,334
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,088,756
<BONDS>                                        983,356
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        772
<COMMON>                                       300,381
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,455,116
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,977,334
<SALES>                                        692,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               692,116
<CGS>                                          375,379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  375,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               316,887
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,858
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (25,008)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,152)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (17,856)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (17,856)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.07)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.07)<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Amounts disclosed as EPS-Primary and EPS-Diluted represent Basic and Diluted
Earnings per Share as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 128 "Earnings per Share."
</FN>