<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME, CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #3 FIXED ASSETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         135,271
<SECURITIES>                                     1,500
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,736,352<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                    56,336<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    281,942
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,222,066
<PP&E>                                       2,727,612<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,426,277<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,155,722
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,305,289
<BONDS>                                      1,300,434
<COMMON>                                       323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          200,000
<PREFERRED>                                      2,415
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,913,293
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,155,722
<SALES>                                      1,675,090
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,858,579
<CGS>                                        1,025,250
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,554,990
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                81,726
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             203,877
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                684,383
<INCOME-TAX>                                   214,970
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            469,413
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   469,413
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.56
<FN>
<F1>Receivables are comprised of trade receivables of $356,890 and short-term
finance receivables of $1,379,462. Allowances are comprised of allowance for
trade receivables of $16,160 and for short-term finance receivables of $40,176.
<F2>Property, plant and equipment are comprised of fixed assets of $1,093,501
and rental equipment and related inventories of $1,634,111. Depreciation is
comprised of depreciation on fixed assets of $607,472 and on rental equipment
and related inventories of $818,805.
</FN>