<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MATTEL
INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          88,915
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,526,146
<ALLOWANCES>                                   138,197
<INVENTORY>                                    717,275
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,610,793
<PP&E>                                       1,189,064
<DEPRECIATION>                                 452,590
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,076,804
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,929,822
<BONDS>                                      1,084,156
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        772
<COMMON>                                       425,953
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,476,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,076,804
<SALES>                                      1,919,113
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,919,113
<CGS>                                          968,115
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  968,115
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,141,180
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              61,444
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (251,626)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (52,341)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (199,285)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (199,285)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.50)