<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         50,374
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 815,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                   15,269
<INVENTORY>                                   194,299
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            1,123,693
<PP&E>                                      4,593,680
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,822,886
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              3,865,239
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         810,552
<BONDS>                                     1,292,003
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                      308,462
<OTHER-SE>                                    783,655
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                3,865,239
<SALES>                                     2,374,986
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            2,374,986
<CGS>                                       1,872,800
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               2,176,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (5,999)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                4,010
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             43,621
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               156,857
<INCOME-TAX>                                   60,390
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   96,467
<EPS-BASIC>                                       .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .73