-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WgpO03tOQAlX3DrQ7iLVGgC0Y2ycb+0sQaS9VeHWRoh6M9pqZdVFq9JbH2m3k+7E
 sHhUMAkURE4AN2WVwkO7Eg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950135-96-004132.txt : 19960930
<SEC-HEADER>0000950135-96-004132.hdr.sgml : 19960930
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950135-96-004132
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		19960927
SROS:			NASD

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAPLES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000791519
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				042896127
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0127

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-3
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-12899
		FILM NUMBER:		96636120

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RESEARCH DRIVE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 9328
		CITY:			WESTBOROUGH
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01581
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5083708500
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>000095013596004132-001-seq1-s-3.txt
<DESCRIPTION>STAPLES, INC.
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>000095013596004132-002-seq2-ex-5-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>OPINION OF HALE & DORR
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>