<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE NASHUA CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                     1.
<CASH>                                          11,516
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     31,415
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               110,338
<PP&E>                                         132,922
<DEPRECIATION>                                  62,924
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 226,954
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,991
<BONDS>                                         40,323
<COMMON>                                         6,382
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   226,954
<SALES>                                        363,377
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               363,377
<CGS>                                          272,002
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  272,002
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,245
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,695
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,751
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,633
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,118
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (2,295)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,823
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0