<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MSC
INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.'S AUGUST 28, 1999 FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                              AUG-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-28-1999
<CASH>                                      2,725
<SECURITIES>                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                               95,806
<ALLOWANCES>                                5,799
<INVENTORY>                                 225,542
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            328,043
<PP&E>                                      136,449
<DEPRECIATION>                              29,699
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              514,384
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       80,795
<BONDS>                                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       0
<PREFERRED>                                 0
<COMMON>                                    68
<OTHER-SE>                                  355,559
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                514,384
<SALES>                                     651,503
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            651,503
<CGS>                                       389,774
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               179,958
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            555
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            1,933
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          1,576
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             80,750
<INCOME-TAX>                                31,897
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         48,853
<DISCONTINUED>                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0
<CHANGES>                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                48,853
<EPS-BASIC>                               .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                               .72