
<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 2, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFRENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         256,652
<SECURITIES>                                     1,367
<RECEIVABLES>                                  245,440
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,806
<INVENTORY>                                  1,131,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,711,805
<PP&E>                                         973,994
<DEPRECIATION>                                 339,466
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,620,195
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          912,316
<BONDS>                                        518,066
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           169
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,140,586
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,620,195
<SALES>                                      1,670,611
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,670,611
<CGS>                                        1,282,596
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,538,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                71,762
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,694
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,911
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,011
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,950
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,950<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.08
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>               35,900
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                 50
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
