<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THOMAS NELSON, INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                             814
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,223
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,171
<INVENTORY>                                     74,809
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               200,174
<PP&E>                                          41,343
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,920
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 298,230
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,057
<BONDS>                                        100,359
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,231
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,501
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   298,230
<SALES>                                        259,331
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               261,822
<CGS>                                          148,147
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  239,545
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,610
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,644
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,171
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,726
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,785
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,941
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,941
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.70