<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The data schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Boise
Cascade Office Products Corporation's Balance Sheet at June 30, 1997, and 
from its Statement of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1997.  The
information presented is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          37,516
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  300,719
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,213
<INVENTORY>                                    176,666
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               545,793
<PP&E>                                         278,811
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,814
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,061,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          350,659
<BONDS>                                        240,013
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           629
<OTHER-SE>                                     434,612
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,061,930
<SALES>                                      1,198,341
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,198,341
<CGS>                                          898,754
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  898,754
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               247,085
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,489
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,868
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,621
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,621
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0