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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000205700-03-000085.txt : 20030528
<SEC-HEADER>0000205700-03-000085.hdr.sgml : 20030528
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030528164034
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000205700-03-000085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030523
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030528

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARROWS CRAIG
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001177813

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11427
		FILM NUMBER:		03721934

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE INC
		STREET 2:		500 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			GROTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01471

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000205700
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MANIFOLD BUSINESS FORMS [2761]
		IRS NUMBER:				042942374
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0629

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 MAIN ST
		CITY:			GROTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01471
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9784486111
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bar179.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-05-23</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000205700</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NEB</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001177813</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARROWS CRAIG</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>0</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
			<officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock Par Value $1.00</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-05-23</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>85.788</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>25.990</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>2604.324</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>I</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value>By 401(k)</value>
				<footnoteId id="F1"/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<nonDerivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Common Stock, Restricted, Par Value $1.00</value>
		</securityTitle>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-05-23</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>15.075</value>
				<footnoteId id="F2"/>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>25.990</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>1974.044</value>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</nonDerivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">401(K) is a unitized stock fund consisting of company stock and cash and the amount of securities listed on this form is expressed in equivalent shares.  The amount of shares attributed to a plan participant and expressed as equivalent shares may change from time to time without the volition of the plan participant and depends upon the amount of cash in the fund, the fair market value of company stock, and the number of plan participants.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Amount represents dividends on restricted shares that are automatically reinvested in additional restricted shares under the terms of the underlying restricted stock award.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: /S/ Michelle R. Palermo-Murphy as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-05-21</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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