<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 2,587 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 184,755 <ALLOWANCES> 1,772 <INVENTORY> 81,406 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 23,599 <PP&E> 90,045 <DEPRECIATION> 40,636 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 376,590 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 145,410 <BONDS> 2,131 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,237 <OTHER-SE> 219,256 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 376,590 <SALES> 400,691 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 400,691 <CGS> 294,326 <TOTAL-COSTS> 294,326 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 62,588 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,406 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,445 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,926 <INCOME-TAX> 13,650 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,276 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,276 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.26 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.21