<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK>0000020629 <NAME> CSS INDUSTRIES <MULTIPLIER>1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 4,865 <SECURITIES> 370 <RECEIVABLES> 31,051 <ALLOWANCES> 1,205 <INVENTORY> 109,139 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,946 <PP&E> 90,894 <DEPRECIATION> 39,092 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 246,979 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,757 <BONDS> 1,990 <COMMON> 1,237 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 206,410 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 246,979 <SALES> 26,367 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 26,367 <CGS> 19,356 <TOTAL-COSTS> 19,356 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,055 <LOSS-PROVISION> 110 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 570 <INCOME-PRETAX> (7,724) <INCOME-TAX> (2,889) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,835) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,835) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.48) <EPS-DILUTED> (.48)