<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTIRES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 1,774 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 35,723 <ALLOWANCES> 3,906 <INVENTORY> 90,454 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 136,664 <PP&E> 100,590 <DEPRECIATION> 43,414 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 270,257 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 82,853 <BONDS> 5,389 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,235 <OTHER-SE> 172,848 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 270,257 <SALES> 44,244 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 44,244 <CGS> 25,022 <TOTAL-COSTS> 25,022 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 22,809 <LOSS-PROVISION> 292 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,979) <INCOME-TAX> (2,007) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,148) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,148) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.29) <EPS-DILUTED> (.29)