<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH
29, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                          84,585
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  379,350
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,369
<INVENTORY>                                  1,241,371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,734,695
<PP&E>                                         946,089
<DEPRECIATION>                                 275,054
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,656,126
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          991,276
<BONDS>                                        422,897
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,597
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,196,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,656,126
<SALES>                                      1,772,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,772,444
<CGS>                                        1,372,903
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,648,311
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                47,378
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,081
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,504
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 64,146
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,359
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,787
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,787
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24