<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE THIRD 
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<CASH>                                      24,517,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               72,077,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,307,000
<INVENTORY>                                 46,579,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           143,697,000
<PP&E>                                     184,530,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              91,522,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             301,276,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       52,686,000
<BONDS>                                     80,231,000
<COMMON>                                    21,566,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 111,766,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               301,276,000
<SALES>                                    418,270,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           418,270,000
<CGS>                                      293,793,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              390,412,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,000,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             22,265,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,137,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,128,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      605,000
<NET-INCOME>                                12,523,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.17