<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-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                          18,695
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  623,839
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,308
<INVENTORY>                                    289,672
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,100,011
<PP&E>                                         328,869
<DEPRECIATION>                                 107,932
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,432,908
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          639,368
<BONDS>                                      1,221,998
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            29
<OTHER-SE>                                     447,136
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,432,908
<SALES>                                        972,059
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               972,059
<CGS>                                          745,433
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  184,243
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,437
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,946
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,115
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,992
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,992
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10