<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CORPORATE EXPRESS, INC AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-02-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-27-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-25-1995
<CASH>                                          92,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  217,885
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,065
<INVENTORY>                                     94,394
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               421,762
<PP&E>                                          83,310
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,401
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 733,438
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          167,363
<BONDS>                                        104,339
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                     435,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   733,438
<SALES>                                        301,008
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               301,008
<CGS>                                          220,365
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   68,800
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,764
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,789
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,819
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,503
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,503
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10