<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000020629
<NAME>   CSS INDUSTRIES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                      JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                        JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                        3
<SECURITIES>                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                            30,338
<ALLOWANCES>                                680
<INVENTORY>                             152,878
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        200,608
<PP&E>                                   93,862
<DEPRECIATION>                           41,027
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          291,505
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    79,099
<BONDS>                                   1,844
<COMMON>                                  1,237
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                              202,056
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            291,505
<SALES>                                  63,128
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         63,128
<CGS>                                    47,713
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            47,713
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         27,667
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            256
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        1,031
<INCOME-PRETAX>                        (13,539)
<INCOME-TAX>                            (5,077)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (8,462)
<DISCONTINUED>                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                            (8,462)
<EPS-BASIC>                             (.85)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (.85)