<ARTICLE>        5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT JUNE 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND THE 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 
1998 (UNAUDITED) OF GLOBAL DIRECTMAIL CORP AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
                                   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           56,381
<SECURITIES>                                      9,604
<RECEIVABLES>                                   134,966
<ALLOWANCES>                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                     105,922
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                338,118
<PP&E>                                           31,770
<DEPRECIATION>                                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  427,388
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           143,867
<BONDS>                                           1,999
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                            382
<OTHER-SE>                                      281,140
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    427,388
<SALES>                                         688,810
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                688,810
<CGS>                                           546,385
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   546,385
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                110,721
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (1,603)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  33,307
<INCOME-TAX>                                     12,823
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              20,484
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     20,484
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       .54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       .54