<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten
Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 28, 1997
and Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income for
the year ended December 28, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                               YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                      DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                                                                 84,810
<SECURITIES>                                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         872,745 
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           25,326 
<INVENTORY>                                                            56,893
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    1,022,944
<PP&E>                                                                317,414 
<DEPRECIATION>                                                        131,067 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      1,750,201 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                 335,431 
<BONDS>                                                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                8,131 
<OTHER-SE>                                                            833,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        1,750,201
<SALES>                                                             4,113,014
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    4,113,014
<CGS>                                                               3,016,802
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                       3,016,802
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       28,605
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     25,362
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       160,479
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           62,587
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                    93,028
<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                           93,028
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                            1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            1.15