<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-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999 <CASH> 74,998 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 814,643 <ALLOWANCES> 15,112 <INVENTORY> 189,344 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,176,223 <PP&E> 4,414,260 <DEPRECIATION> 2,731,757 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,825,995 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 833,023 <BONDS> 1,165,428 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 308,462 <OTHER-SE> 845,373 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,825,995 <SALES> 1,179,816 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,179,816 <CGS> 936,880 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,086,616 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 167 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,625 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,896 <INCOME-PRETAX> 71,512 <INCOME-TAX> 27,532 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 43,980 <EPS-PRIMARY> .33 <EPS-DILUTED> .33