
<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 OCTOBER 30, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-30-1999
<CASH>                                          90,164
<SECURITIES>                                     1,211
<RECEIVABLES>                                  436,787
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,664
<INVENTORY>                                  1,534,439
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,173,503
<PP&E>                                       1,523,207
<DEPRECIATION>                                 492,036
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,735,645
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,496,480
<BONDS>                                        202,910
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           280
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,687,460
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,735,645
<SALES>                                      6,305,987
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,305,987
<CGS>                                        4,762,428
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,688,748
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               286,042
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                320,643
<INCOME-TAX>                                   125,051
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            195,592
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   195,592
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41
<FN>
<F1>
<INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST>              195,592
<MINORITY INTEREST>                                  0
</FN>


</TABLE>
