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