<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 1,336 <SECURITIES> 2,458 <RECEIVABLES> 82,864 <ALLOWANCES> 2,103 <INVENTORY> 63,164 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 161,950 <PP&E> 82,370 <DEPRECIATION> 40,737 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 262,823 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,412 <BONDS> 5,688 <COMMON> 1,210 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 147,347 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 262,823 <SALES> 186,303 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 186,303 <CGS> 111,783 <TOTAL-COSTS> 111,783 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 55,023 <LOSS-PROVISION> 982 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,429 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,086 <INCOME-TAX> 6,855 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,881 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,881 <EPS-PRIMARY> .91 <EPS-DILUTED> .89