Exhibit 5.1




        [LETTERHEAD OF BALLARD SPAHR ANDREWS & INGERSOLL APPEARS HERE]


                                         October 15, 1997


Corporate Express, Inc.
325 Interlocken Parkway 
Broomfield, CO 80021

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We have acted as your counsel in connection with the proposed issuance
of shares of common stock in connection with the proposed merger (the "Merger")
pursuant to which IDD Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Corporate
Express, Inc. (the "Company"), will be merged with and into Data Documents 
Incorporated and pursuant to which Data Documents Incorporated will become a 
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as more fully described in the 
Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (Registration No. 333-35559), and
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended.

          In this connection, we have examined and relied upon such corporate 
records and other documents, instruments and certificates and have made such 
other investigation as we deemed appropriate as the basis for the opinion set 
forth below.

          Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of 
common stock to be issued by you have been duly authorized and, when duly 
executed, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Merger, and
upon satisfaction of all applicable conditions, will be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement and to the reference to


 
Corporate Express, Inc.
October 15, 1997
Page 2


this firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Proxy Statement and 
Prospectus forming a part thereof.

                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll