<ARTICLE>            5 
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
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>                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                               JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                 SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                            34,420
<SECURITIES>                                                       7,524
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    148,996
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                                      111,878
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 340,424
<PP&E>                                                            32,852
<DEPRECIATION>                                                         0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   436,181
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            154,883
<BONDS>                                                            5,464
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             382
<OTHER-SE>                                                       275,452
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     436,181
<SALES>                                                        1,048,581
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               1,048,581
<CGS>                                                            834,552
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    834,552
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                 166,745
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                (2,227)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   49,511
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      19,466
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               30,045
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      30,045
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                        .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                        .80