
<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>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          93,527
<SECURITIES>                                    20,275
<RECEIVABLES>                                  271,494
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,101
<INVENTORY>                                    841,045
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,302,954
<PP&E>                                         642,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                 213,569
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,940,453
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          652,658
<BONDS>                                        446,659
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           160
<OTHER-SE>                                     801,344
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,940,453
<SALES>                                      3,200,409
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,200,409
<CGS>                                        2,439,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,914,683
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               133,982
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,567
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                123,915
<INCOME-TAX>                                    37,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             86,643
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    86,643<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>               86,643
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                  0
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
