<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 28, 1998 (unaudited) and Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 28, 1998 (unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-03-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUN-28-1998 <CASH> 18,366 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 944,945 <ALLOWANCES> 26,142 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,029,383 <PP&E> 347,314 <DEPRECIATION> 149,857 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,811,739 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 371,720 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 8,132 <OTHER-SE> 797,673 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,811,739 <SALES> 2,176,084 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,176,084 <CGS> 1,666,902 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,666,902 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,236 <INCOME-PRETAX> (27,651) <INCOME-TAX> (10,714) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (20,663) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (20,663) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.25) <EPS-DILUTED> (.25)