<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 25, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-25-2000
<CASH>                                         334,035
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  766,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (29,435)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,256,163
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,522,451
<PP&E>                                       1,776,504
<DEPRECIATION>                                 617,821
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,170,456
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,860,274
<BONDS>                                        593,918
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,768
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,872,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,170,456
<SALES>                                      3,063,523
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,063,523
<CGS>                                        2,228,011
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,800,042
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               107,378
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 6,743
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,196
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                173,073
<INCOME-TAX>                                    64,037
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            109,036
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   109,036
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.32