<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>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                          36,906
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  662,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,292
<INVENTORY>                                    275,453
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,117,584
<PP&E>                                         503,661
<DEPRECIATION>                                 140,873
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,428,921
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          591,263
<BONDS>                                      1,161,281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            28
<OTHER-SE>                                     575,268
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,428,921
<SALES>                                      1,108,061
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,108,061
<CGS>                                          850,291
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  215,927
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,791
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,052
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,044
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,812
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,104
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,708
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11