<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Olsten
Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 3, 1999 and
Olsten Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income for the
year ended January 3, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                            1,000

                                                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                        JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                             JAN-03-1999
<CASH>                                                        53,831
<SECURITIES>                                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                              1,041,240
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  35,555
<INVENTORY>                                                   90,383
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                           1,193,819
<PP&E>                                                       380,927
<DEPRECIATION>                                               147,796
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                             2,058,807
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                        574,809
<BONDS>                                                            0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                              0
<PREFERRED>                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                       8,132
<OTHER-SE>                                                   774,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                               2,058,807
<SALES>                                                    4,602,790
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           4,602,790
<CGS>                                                      3,500,941
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                              3,500,941
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             122,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              27,881
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            34,256
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              (34,971)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  (7,951)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          (35,539)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 (35,539)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                     (.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   (.44)