
<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 NOVEMBER 2, 
1996 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>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                                          68,270
<SECURITIES>                                     8,165
<RECEIVABLES>                                  220,899
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,447
<INVENTORY>                                    817,423
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,185,349
<PP&E>                                         567,342
<DEPRECIATION>                                 167,886
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,783,614
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          618,316
<BONDS>                                        439,599
<COMMON>                                            97
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     692,074
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,783,614
<SALES>                                      2,803,676
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,803,676
<CGS>                                        2,146,590
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,577,351
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               114,938
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,577
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 96,810
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             59,538
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    59,538
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36
        

</TABLE>
