<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 24, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000929428
<NAME> OFFICEMAX, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-24-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-24-1998
<CASH>                                          66,801
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,058
<ALLOWANCES>                                       837
<INVENTORY>                                  1,086,228
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,228,505
<PP&E>                                         479,818
<DEPRECIATION>                                 167,965
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,905,993
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          666,986
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       861,991
<OTHER-SE>                                     298,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,905,993
<SALES>                                      3,765,444
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,765,444
<CGS>                                        2,895,084
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,895,084
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                146,431
<INCOME-TAX>                                    56,811
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             89,620
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    89,620
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .72