<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         48,792
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 945,175
<ALLOWANCES>                                   18,744
<INVENTORY>                                   220,951
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            1,265,012
<PP&E>                                      4,636,366
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,993,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              4,001,203
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,270,966
<BONDS>                                       753,093
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                      308,462
<OTHER-SE>                                    886,346
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                4,001,203
<SALES>                                     4,164,775
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            4,164,775
<CGS>                                       3,347,607
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               3,800,063
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               22,841
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                6,073
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             69,912
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               317,641
<INCOME-TAX>                                  122,292
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           195,349
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  195,349
<EPS-BASIC>                                    1.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.59