<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