<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                          25,997
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,915
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,379
<INVENTORY>                                     51,929
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               152,712
<PP&E>                                         185,639
<DEPRECIATION>                                  93,199
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 312,101
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,419
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        21,569
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     115,912
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   312,101
<SALES>                                        563,133
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               563,133
<CGS>                                          394,839
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  522,405
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,711
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,007
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,479
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,528
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        (605)
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,923
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.77