<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten
Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 1, 1995
(unaudited) and Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements
of Income for the nine months ended October 1, 1995 (unaudited) and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                        OCT-01-1995
<CASH>                                                   19,480
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                           446,417
<ALLOWANCES>                                             13,758
<INVENTORY>                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        490,703
<PP&E>                                                  153,009 
<DEPRECIATION>                                           63,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          841,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   198,783    
<BONDS>                                                     0
<COMMON>                                                  4,281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0 
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<OTHER-SE>                                              445,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            841,730
<SALES>                                               1,855,466
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      1,855,466
<CGS>                                                 1,294,420
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         1,294,420
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        444,937
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          1,932
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        6,115
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         111,174
<INCOME-TAX>                                             46,161
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      65,013
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                             64,268
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              1.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              1.42