<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29, 1996,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                          17,589
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  202,958
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,224
<INVENTORY>                                  1,252,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,645,860
<PP&E>                                         830,592
<DEPRECIATION>                                 216,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,499,651
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          814,568
<BONDS>                                        591,359
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,593
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,076,445
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,499,651
<SALES>                                      1,381,365
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,381,365
<CGS>                                        1,056,661
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,286,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                41,693
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   482
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,570
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,432
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,237
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,237
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .18