<ARTICLE>        5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED) OF GLOBAL DIRECTMAIL CORP AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                          JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                            SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                        61908
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                104049
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                   77550
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             267934
<PP&E>                                        19809
<DEPRECIATION>                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               304990
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         86936
<BONDS>                                        2572
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                        379
<OTHER-SE>                                  215,103
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                304,990
<SALES>                                     658,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            658,307
<CGS>                                       472,903
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               472,903
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            134,813
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (1217)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              51,808
<INCOME-TAX>                                 19,946
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          31,862
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                 31,862
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .84
<FN>
ALL AMOUNTS ARE PRESENTED IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE.
</FN>