<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Corporate
Express Consolidated Financial Statements and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                          28,748
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  508,099
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,244
<INVENTORY>                                    191,939
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               821,122
<PP&E>                                         391,602
<DEPRECIATION>                                 113,490
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,840,090
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          435,177
<BONDS>                                        617,265
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            25
<OTHER-SE>                                     703,091
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,840,090
<SALES>                                        913,342
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               913,342
<CGS>                                          699,114
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,526
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,915
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,787
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,710
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,022
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08