<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 722 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 124,931 <ALLOWANCES> 4,019 <INVENTORY> 136,510 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 271,549 <PP&E> 104,545 <DEPRECIATION> 45,883 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 405,840 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 207,443 <BONDS> 3,898 <COMMON> 1,237 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 184,741 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 405,840 <SALES> 243,606 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 243,606 <CGS> 149,655 <TOTAL-COSTS> 149,655 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 75,085 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,333 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,629 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,904 <INCOME-TAX> 4,874 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,625 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,625 <EPS-PRIMARY> .67 <EPS-DILUTED> .66