<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 OF GLOBAL DIRECTMAIL
CORP AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                 DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                            43,432
<SECURITIES>                                                       9,017
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    132,741
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                                      102,599
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 313,330
<PP&E>                                                            29,401
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   399,745
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            125,574
<BONDS>                                                            1,972
<COMMON>                                                             382
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                                       271,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     399,745
<SALES>                                                        1,145,388
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               1,145,388
<CGS>                                                            879,846
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    879,846
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 206,280
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                (2,830)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   62,098
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      23,286
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               38,812
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      38,812
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       1.02