<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                          89,027
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  393,998
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,796
<INVENTORY>                                    141,895
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               657,189
<PP&E>                                         183,825
<DEPRECIATION>                                  61,815
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,409,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          327,419
<BONDS>                                        480,120
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                     543,878
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,409,776
<SALES>                                      1,103,005
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,103,005
<CGS>                                          820,558
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  239,422
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,324
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,701
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,781
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,781
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27