<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          53,639
<SECURITIES>                                    31,409
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,781
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,024
<INVENTORY>                                     34,766
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,972
<PP&E>                                         162,837
<DEPRECIATION>                                  73,373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 337,173
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,547
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        33,334
<OTHER-SE>                                     150,364
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   337,173
<SALES>                                        379,385
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               387,935
<CGS>                                          268,517
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  353,862
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,588
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,485
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,396
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,089
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0