<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         66,673
<SECURITIES>                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 941,563
<ALLOWANCES>                                   17,255
<INVENTORY>                                   224,566
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            1,264,969
<PP&E>                                      4,623,849
<DEPRECIATION>                              2,879,025
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              3,979,414
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         926,979
<BONDS>                                     1,300,122
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                      308,462
<OTHER-SE>                                    800,321
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                3,979,414
<SALES>                                     3,715,129
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            3,715,129
<CGS>                                       2,891,289
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               3,362,960
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (10,557)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                6,022
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             66,705
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               296,021
<INCOME-TAX>                                  113,968
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  182,053
<EPS-BASIC>                                      1.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.39