ART. 5 FDS FOR 3RD QUARTER 10-Q

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<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PITNEY BOWES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME, CORRESPONDING
FOOTNOTE #3 FIXED ASSETS AND STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<CASH> 134,032
<SECURITIES> 1,327
<RECEIVABLES> 366,720
<ALLOWANCES> 13,934
<INVENTORY> 275,374
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,233,198
<PP&E> 1,095,719
<DEPRECIATION> 601,178
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,983,258
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,233,697
<BONDS> 1,300,221
<COMMON> 323,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 200,000
<PREFERRED> 2,461
<OTHER-SE> 1,847,755
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,983,258
<SALES> 1,198,847
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,799,916
<CGS> 745,560
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,119,001
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,013,148
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 145,682
<INCOME-PRETAX> 522,085
<INCOME-TAX> 180,338
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 341,747
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 341,747
<EPS-PRIMARY> 2.27
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.26


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