<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The data schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Boise
Cascade Office Products Corporation's Balance Sheet at September 30, 1998, and
from its Statement of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 1998.  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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          39,729
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  404,775
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,730
<INVENTORY>                                    213,170
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               685,117
<PP&E>                                         369,525
<DEPRECIATION>                                 143,603
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,393,373
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          487,305
<BONDS>                                        317,480
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           658
<OTHER-SE>                                     554,705
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,393,373
<SALES>                                      2,253,108
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,253,108
<CGS>                                        1,680,762
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,680,762
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               478,317
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,903
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 75,427
<INCOME-TAX>                                    32,283
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,144
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,144
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66