WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

                                    EXHIBIT 27
                              Financial Data Schedule

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

The schedule  contains  financial  information  extracted from the  consolidated
financial  statements  of CDI Corp.  and  Subsidiaries  and is  qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                                          13,863
<SECURITIES>                                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  408,341
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     4,035
<INVENTORY>                                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               425,784
<PP&E>                                                         139,380
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  74,365
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 598,631
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          175,681
<BONDS>                                                         74,936
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                         2,001
<OTHER-SE>                                                     326,759
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   598,631
<SALES>                                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                             1,300,418
<CGS>                                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  942,795
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                               3,833
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 58,857
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    22,309
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             35,852
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    35,852
<EPS-BASIC>                                                       1.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     1.88