<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 2,755 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 159,008 <ALLOWANCES> 3,838 <INVENTORY> 58,189 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,152 <PP&E> 97,900 <DEPRECIATION> 44,654 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 346,364 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 157,324 <BONDS> 4,612 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,229 <OTHER-SE> 175,523 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 346,364 <SALES> 412,079 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 412,079 <CGS> 266,964 <TOTAL-COSTS> 266,964 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 97,312 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,295 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,235 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,273 <INCOME-TAX> 14,389 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,344 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 22,344 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.03 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.01