<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         56,263
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 813,067
<ALLOWANCES>                                   17,296
<INVENTORY>                                   209,667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            1,221,204
<PP&E>                                      4,595,331
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,927,759
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              3,996,245
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,310,537
<BONDS>                                       753,955
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                      308,462
<OTHER-SE>                                    853,180
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                3,996,245
<SALES>                                     2,731,775
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            2,731,775
<CGS>                                       2,221,122
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               2,523,987
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (6,859)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                4,039
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             47,101
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               167,546
<INCOME-TAX>                                   64,505
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           103,041
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  103,041
<EPS-BASIC>                                     .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .84