<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER
28, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          35,574
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  237,366
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,993
<INVENTORY>                                  1,236,276
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,705,009
<PP&E>                                         878,431
<DEPRECIATION>                                 235,065
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,590,817
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          920,541
<BONDS>                                        527,312
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,592
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,114,633
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,590,817
<SALES>                                      1,509,650
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,509,650
<CGS>                                        1,175,964
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,409,327
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,818
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,518
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,206
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,433
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,575
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,858
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,858
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20