
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 1995,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-29-1995
<CASH>                                          29,922
<SECURITIES>                                    20,967
<RECEIVABLES>                                  110,310
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,030
<INVENTORY>                                    571,466
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               764,934
<PP&E>                                         343,642
<DEPRECIATION>                                 102,560
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,172,333
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          380,957
<BONDS>                                        224,330
<COMMON>                                            63
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     541,232
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,172,333
<SALES>                                      1,273,770
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,273,770
<CGS>                                          983,914
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,182,920
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,688
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,690
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,472
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,576
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,896
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,896
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17
        

</TABLE>
