
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMETNS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 1, 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         151,670
<SECURITIES>                                    23,498
<RECEIVABLES>                                  346,241
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,566
<INVENTORY>                                  1,305,170
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,938,089
<PP&E>                                       1,319,458
<DEPRECIATION>                                 435,352
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,248,247
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,285,487
<BONDS>                                        204,270
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           279
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,704,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,248,247
<SALES>                                      2,072,066
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,072,066
<CGS>                                        1,577,313
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,892,633
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                95,535
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,416
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 82,482
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             50,314
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    50,314
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.11
<FN>
<F1>INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY IN                   50,314
<F1>MINORITY INTEREST                                0
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
