<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)