<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The data schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Boise Cascade Office Products Corporation's Balance Sheet at September 30,
1997, and from its Statement of Income for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. The information presented is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,598
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  381,539
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,055
<INVENTORY>                                    186,571
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               612,642
<PP&E>                                         320,035
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,447
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,261,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          365,482
<BONDS>                                        366,731
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           656
<OTHER-SE>                                     492,248
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,261,531
<SALES>                                      1,878,218
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,878,218
<CGS>                                        1,408,311
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,408,311
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               388,924
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,895
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 67,478
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,325
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,153
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,153
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0