<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>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          15,558
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  612,946
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,491
<INVENTORY>                                    270,497
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,096,765
<PP&E>                                         314,148
<DEPRECIATION>                                 104,125
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,372,514
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          956,373
<BONDS>                                        831,611
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            29
<OTHER-SE>                                     438,143
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,372,514
<SALES>                                      1,945,137
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,945,137
<CGS>                                        1,497,018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  364,412
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (21,018)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              43,766
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 60,959
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,258
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,556
<DISCONTINUED>                                (43,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,444)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.02)