<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>   5
<LEGEND>
                                                            
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Standard
Register Company financial statements for the three months ended March 29 1998, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.               
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                   MAR-29-1998
<CASH>                                                           $  45,442      
<SECURITIES>                                                        15,902      
<RECEIVABLES>                                                      306,883      
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        21,140     
<INVENTORY>                                                        136,555      
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   500,178      
<PP&E>                                                             525,680      
<DEPRECIATION>                                                     168,140      
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     973,869      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                              146,014      
<BONDS>                                                            234,670      
<COMMON>                                                            29,058      
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                                              0
<OTHER-SE>                                                         468,667      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       973,869      
<SALES>                                                            343,562      
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                   344,057      
<CGS>                                                              222,473      
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                      328,019      
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         0      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       753      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                   3,430      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                     16,038      
<INCOME-TAX>                                                         6,347      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  9,691      
<DISCONTINUED>                                                           0      
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                          0      
<CHANGES>                                                                0      
<NET-INCOME>                                                         9,691      
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         0.34      
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                         0.34