WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE NASHUA CORPORATION FOR THE 3 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3 MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-29-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 11,064 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 30,990 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 15,937 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 96,381 <PP&E> 128,271 <DEPRECIATION> 60,133 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 222,450 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 70,516 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 18,681 <OTHER-SE> 53,426 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 222,450 <SALES> 101,497 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 101,497 <CGS> 75,297 <TOTAL-COSTS> 104,061 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,539 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3,981) <INCOME-TAX> (1,741) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,240) <DISCONTINUED> 206 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,034) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.32) <EPS-DILUTED> 0