
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 30, 
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         357,993
<SECURITIES>                                    17,428
<RECEIVABLES>                                  225,179
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,343
<INVENTORY>                                  1,340,432
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,064,100
<PP&E>                                       1,243,809
<DEPRECIATION>                                 403,520
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,179,266
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,265,332
<BONDS>                                        205,015
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           277
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,656,609
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,179,266
<SALES>                                      7,123,189
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,123,189
<CGS>                                        5,365,802
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,389,650
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               409,908
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,370
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                306,261
<INCOME-TAX>                                   121,026
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            185,370
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   185,370<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>              185,235
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                135
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
