<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