<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten
Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1996
(unaudited) and Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements
of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1996 (unaudited) and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                        JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                                144,235
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         622,468
<ALLOWANCES>                                           22,196
<INVENTORY>                                                 0     
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      837,739
<PP&E>                                                211,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                         87,419
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,364,622
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 210,715
<BONDS>                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                7,890
<OTHER-SE>                                            746,961
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,364,622
<SALES>                                             1,564,574
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    1,564,574
<CGS>                                               1,097,886
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       1,097,886
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                        9,675
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     10,844
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                        88,039
<INCOME-TAX>                                           35,777
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    51,684
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           51,684
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             .68
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             .66