<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN BUSINESS PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          30,027
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,970
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,769
<INVENTORY>                                     31,168
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               128,789
<PP&E>                                         148,876
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,512
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 279,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,063
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        33,877
<OTHER-SE>                                     123,657
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   279,233
<SALES>                                        228,663
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               228,663
<CGS>                                          163,519
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,876
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,575
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,529
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,153
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,376
<DISCONTINUED>                                  (1,513)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,863
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.52