<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000020629
<NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,365 
<SECURITIES>                                         0 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  165,761 
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,292 
<INVENTORY>                                     66,270 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,635 
<PP&E>                                          79,932 
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,064 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 342,362 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          114,786 
<BONDS>                                          2,580 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0 
<PREFERRED>                                          0 
<COMMON>                                         1,237 
<OTHER-SE>                                     220,412 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   342,362 
<SALES>                                        357,720 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               357,720 
<CGS>                                          252,687 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  252,687 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,510 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   903 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,178 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,442 
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,571 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,871 
<DISCONTINUED>                                  24,219 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0 
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,090 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.97 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.81