<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <CASH> 411 <SECURITIES> 462 <RECEIVABLES> 26,919 <ALLOWANCES> 958 <INVENTORY> 105,831 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,374 <PP&E> 111,668 <DEPRECIATION> 55,334 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 248,784 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,667 <BONDS> 434 <COMMON> 1,237 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 208,338 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 248,784 <SALES> 24,589 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24,589 <CGS> 17,639 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,639 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 16,025 <LOSS-PROVISION> 133 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 396 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9,604) <INCOME-TAX> (3,457) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,147) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,147) <EPS-BASIC> (.66) <EPS-DILUTED> (.66)