<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 28, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                          69,905
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  248,149
<ALLOWANCES>                                    14,531
<INVENTORY>                                  1,154,705
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,655,555
<PP&E>                                         963,990
<DEPRECIATION>                                 296,956
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,574,616
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          871,656
<BONDS>                                        426,900
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,599
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,230,182
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,574,616
<SALES>                                      3,304,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,304,269
<CGS>                                        2,514,194
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,068,298
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                94,270
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,513
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                114,575
<INCOME-TAX>                                    45,314
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,261
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,261
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43