<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          36,462
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  199,543
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,995
<INVENTORY>                                  1,266,901
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,688,668
<PP&E>                                         781,123
<DEPRECIATION>                                 199,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,506,618
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          957,390
<BONDS>                                        489,225
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,588
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,044,195
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,506,618
<SALES>                                      1,632,995
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,632,995
<CGS>                                        1,277,617
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,525,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                45,773
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   488
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,311
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,390
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,907
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,483
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,483
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21