
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                     1,252
<RECEIVABLES>                                  381,473
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,359
<INVENTORY>                                  1,518,768
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,029,231
<PP&E>                                       1,376,326
<DEPRECIATION>                                 449,763
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,405,246
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,412,099
<BONDS>                                        203,560
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           279
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,733,399
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,405,246
<SALES>                                      3,912,176
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,912,176
<CGS>                                        2,962,864
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,548,921
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               188,915
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,392
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                168,948
<INCOME-TAX>                                    65,890
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            103,058
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   103,058
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>              103,058
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                  0
</FN>


</TABLE>
