<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 5,285 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 34,004 <ALLOWANCES> 1,347 <INVENTORY> 154,257 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 206,715 <PP&E> 81,055 <DEPRECIATION> 34,746 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 305,614 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 95,862 <BONDS> 1,981 <COMMON> 1,237 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 202,827 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 305,614 <SALES> 64,159 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 64,159 <CGS> 45,339 <TOTAL-COSTS> 45,339 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 34,812 <LOSS-PROVISION> 273 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 869 <INCOME-PRETAX> (17,134) <INCOME-TAX> (6,425) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,709) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (10,709) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.98) <EPS-DILUTED> (.98)