
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 28,
1995, 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>                          JAN-28-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-1995
<CASH>                                          71,849
<SECURITIES>                                    20,404
<RECEIVABLES>                                  130,961
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,201
<INVENTORY>                                    702,637
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               960,299
<PP&E>                                         378,208
<DEPRECIATION>                                 115,317
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,398,115
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          485,364
<BONDS>                                        320,568
<COMMON>                                            63
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     565,129
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,398,115
<SALES>                                      2,092,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,092,526
<CGS>                                        1,611,207
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,928,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,574
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,014
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,154
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,314
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,840
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,840
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36
        

</TABLE>
