<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 3,636 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 40,000 <ALLOWANCES> 3,585 <INVENTORY> 134,380 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 188,931 <PP&E> 102,317 <DEPRECIATION> 44,787 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 322,802 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 136,212 <BONDS> 5,100 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,237 <OTHER-SE> 172,001 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 322,803 <SALES> 100,566 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 100,566 <CGS> 57,379 <TOTAL-COSTS> 57,379 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 46,667 <LOSS-PROVISION> 673 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,386 <INCOME-PRETAX> (6,539) <INCOME-TAX> (2,469) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,382) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,382) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.41) <EPS-DILUTED> (.41)