
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Staples, Inc. for the three months ended May 4, 1996,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           FEB-3-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              FEB-4-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                MAY-4-1996
<CASH>                                          93,258
<SECURITIES>                                     5,606
<RECEIVABLES>                                  139,648
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,481
<INVENTORY>                                    697,519
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,002,903
<PP&E>                                         449,822
<DEPRECIATION>                                 137,955
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,506,316
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          487,048
<BONDS>                                        358,825
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            96
<OTHER-SE>                                     630,384
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,506,316
<SALES>                                        916,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               916,800
<CGS>                                          708,227
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  854,924
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,005
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,028
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,157
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,145
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,012
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,012
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08
        

</TABLE>
