<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Corporate
Express Inc. consolidated financial statements and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                          33,667
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  528,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,169
<INVENTORY>                                    158,008
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               764,715
<PP&E>                                         319,354
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,165
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,689,045
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          441,142
<BONDS>                                        545,588
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                     644,045
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,689,045
<SALES>                                      2,106,429
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,106,429
<CGS>                                        1,582,332
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  451,860
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,571
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,666
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,107
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,020
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,020
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .36