<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM* CORPORATE
EXPRESS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN IT'S ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-02-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-28-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-26-1995
<CASH>                                          13,217
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  176,333
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,346
<INVENTORY>                                     81,585
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               290,719
<PP&E>                                          67,318
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,682
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 576,426
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,023
<BONDS>                                        159,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             8
<OTHER-SE>                                     250,484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   576,426
<SALES>                                        262,970
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               262,970
<CGS>                                          196,004
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   58,221
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,422
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,323
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,088
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,786
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,786
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06