
<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 FEBRUARY 1,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         117,035
<SECURITIES>                                    15,185
<RECEIVABLES>                                  215,978
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,519
<INVENTORY>                                    845,854
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,262,324
<PP&E>                                         695,738
<DEPRECIATION>                                 216,781
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,955,636
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          638,489
<BONDS>                                        402,985
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           162
<OTHER-SE>                                     875,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,955,636
<SALES>                                      4,493,589
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,493,589
<CGS>                                        3,410,263
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,061,897
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               186,294
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,962
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                211,363
<INCOME-TAX>                                    66,621
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            144,742
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   144,742<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>              144,742
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                  0
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
