<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT MARCH 31, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 (UNAUDITED) OF GLOBAL DIRECTMAIL CORP AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 35,483 <SECURITIES> 36,324 <RECEIVABLES> 123,091 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 87,109 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 304,185 <PP&E> 21,687 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 341,510 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 99,585 <BONDS> 1,969 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 379 <OTHER-SE> 238,358 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 341,510 <SALES> 273,537 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 273,537 <CGS> 204,130 <TOTAL-COSTS> 204,130 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 50,776 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (710) <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,341 <INCOME-TAX> 7,253 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,088 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,088 <EPS-PRIMARY> .32 <EPS-DILUTED> .32