<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #3  FIXED ASSETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         137,073
<SECURITIES>                                     1,722
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,970,633<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                    75,299<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    249,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,463,515
<PP&E>                                       2,697,695<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,412,399<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,893,389
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,373,233
<BONDS>                                      1,068,395
<COMMON>                                       323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          300,000 
<PREFERRED>                                      2,259
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,546,980
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,893,389
<SALES>                                      1,834,057
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,100,464
<CGS>                                        1,081,537
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,639,306
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,463
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             209,194
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                803,098
<INCOME-TAX>                                   277,071
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            526,027
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   526,027
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.80
<FN>
<F1>Receivables are comprised of trade receivables of $369,921 and short-term
finance receivables of $1,600,712. Allowances are comprised of allowance for
trade receivables of $21,129 and for short-term finance receivables of $54,170.
<F2>Property, plant and equipment are comprised of fixed assets of $1,120,325
and rental equipment and related inventories of $1,577,370. Depreciation is
comprised of depreciation on fixed assets of $623,064 and on rental equipment
and related inventories of $789,335.
</FN>