<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
R.R. Donnelley and Sons Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         48,270
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 859,698
<ALLOWANCES>                                   16,844
<INVENTORY>                                   211,229
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              190,363
<PP&E>                                      4,589,677
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,883,536
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              4,112,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,474,902
<BONDS>                                       752,231
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                      308,462
<OTHER-SE>                                    807,185
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                4,112,659
<SALES>                                     1,342,870
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,342,870
<CGS>                                       1,101,947
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               1,247,829
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (2,937)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                2,727
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             22,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                75,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                   29,236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            46,701
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   46,701
<EPS-BASIC>                                     .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .38