<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS 
ENDED MARCH 31, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          20,979
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,150
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,262
<INVENTORY>                                     55,084
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               155,658
<PP&E>                                         188,365
<DEPRECIATION>                                  96,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 313,328
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,455
<BONDS>                                         74,845
<COMMON>                                        21,575
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,614
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   313,328
<SALES>                                        157,384
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                          110,368
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  145,292
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,161
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,028
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,079
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,949
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,949
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56