<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 <CASH> 2,200 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 127,579 <ALLOWANCES> 1,003 <INVENTORY> 143,042 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 286,267 <PP&E> 118,074 <DEPRECIATION> 59,156 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 386,842 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 169,811 <BONDS> 385 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,237 <OTHER-SE> 206,564 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 386,842 <SALES> 204,674 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 204,674 <CGS> 153,177 <TOTAL-COSTS> 153,177 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 52,451 <LOSS-PROVISION> 808 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,781 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,543) <INCOME-TAX> (1,635) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,908) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,908) <EPS-BASIC> (.32) <EPS-DILUTED> (.32)