<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JOSTENS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JULY 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                                          11,415
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  127,614
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (7,667)
<INVENTORY>                                     82,547
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               247,426
<PP&E>                                         248,801
<DEPRECIATION>                               (168,439)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 390,407
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          247,057
<BONDS>                                          3,589
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        12,382
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   390,407
<SALES>                                        467,156
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               467,156
<CGS>                                          211,232
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  211,232
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               172,268
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   906
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,622
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,034
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,906
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             48,128
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    48,128
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28