<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          28,424
<SECURITIES>                                    47,819
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,393
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,835
<INVENTORY>                                     36,487
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               180,900
<PP&E>                                         156,694
<DEPRECIATION>                                  69,066
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 330,917
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,298
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        32,245
<OTHER-SE>                                     144,670
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   330,917
<SALES>                                        127,048
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               127,048
<CGS>                                           89,807
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  118,210
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,725
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,819
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,444
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,375
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,375
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0