<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 4,101 <SECURITIES> 290 <RECEIVABLES> 134,051 <ALLOWANCES> 4,207 <INVENTORY> 117,950 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 268,399 <PP&E> 106,990 <DEPRECIATION> 55,249 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 385,565 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 193,333 <BONDS> 24,869 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,225 <OTHER-SE> 159,827 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 385,565 <SALES> 242,102 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 242,102 <CGS> 153,991 <TOTAL-COSTS> 153,991 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 68,548 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,269 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,321 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,973 <INCOME-TAX> 5,359 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,299 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,299 <EPS-PRIMARY> .66 <EPS-DILUTED> .66