Exhibit 18

November 10, 1995

Mr. Peter F. Murphy
Vice President and Corporate Controller
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

Re: Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended September 30, 1995.

Dear Mr. Murphy:

This letter is written to meet the requirements of Regulation S-K calling for a 
letter from a registrant's independent accountants whenever there has been a 
change in accounting principle or practice.

We have been informed that, effective January 1, 1995, the Company changed from 
the double extension-component of cost method of accounting for LIFO inventories
to the external index LIFO method using a composite of applicable producer price
indices. According to the management of the Company, this change was made to 
better measure operating results by reflecting the effect of productivity 
improvements in the Company's cost of sales.

A complete coordinated set of financial and reporting standards for determining 
the preferability of accounting principles among acceptable alternative 
principles has not been established by the accounting profession. Thus, we 
cannot make an objective determination of whether the change in accounting 
described in the preceding paragraph is to a preferable method. However, we have
reviewed the pertinent factors, including those related to financial reporting, 
in this particular case on a subjective basis, and our opinion stated below is 
based on our determination made in this manner.

We are of the opinion that the Company's change in method of accounting is to an
acceptable alternative method of accounting, which, based upon the reasons 
stated for the change and our discussions with you, is also preferable under the
circumstances in this particular case. In arriving at this opinion, we have 
relied on the business judgment and business planning of your management.

We have not audited the application of this change to the financial statements 
of any period subsequent to December 31, 1994. Further, we have not examined and
do not express any opinion with respect to your financial statements for the 
nine months ended September 30, 1995.

Very truly yours,

Arthur Andersen LLP