<ARTICLE>                5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 (UNAUDITED) OF GLOBAL DIRECTMAIL CORP AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                  JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                    SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               37,218
<SECURITIES>                                         14,034
<RECEIVABLES>                                       125,886
<ALLOWANCES>                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                          95,746
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    298,833
<PP&E>                                               28,444
<DEPRECIATION>                                            0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      382,245
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               120,804
<BONDS>                                               1,946
<COMMON>                                                382
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                          258,905
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        382,245
<SALES>                                             792,683
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    792,683
<CGS>                                               601,820
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       601,820
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    151,807
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   (2,366)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      41,422
<INCOME-TAX>                                         15,533
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  25,889
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                         25,889
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .68