<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CORPORATE EXPRESS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-01-1996
<CASH>                                          30,079
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  328,361
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,492
<INVENTORY>                                    119,408
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               509,720
<PP&E>                                         196,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                  55,145
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,114,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          308,367
<BONDS>                                        241,684
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     512,283
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,114,652
<SALES>                                        500,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               500,624
<CGS>                                          369,178
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  111,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,279
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,925
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,079
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,616
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,616
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13