<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF OFFICE DEPOT, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 28, 1998,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1998
<CASH>                                         327,486
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  285,824
<ALLOWANCES>                                    21,992
<INVENTORY>                                  1,162,002
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,996,752
<PP&E>                                       1,099,127
<DEPRECIATION>                                 382,456
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,003,582
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          998,136
<BONDS>                                        465,397
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,616
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,449,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,003,582
<SALES>                                      3,678,635
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,678,635
<CGS>                                        2,794,301
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,390,998
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               109,458
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,989
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,050
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                167,260
<INCOME-TAX>                                    65,723
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            101,537
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   101,537
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .60