EXHIBIT 5.1
 

          [Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll Letterhead Appears Here]



                                 July 21, 1997


Corporate Express, Inc.
1 Environmental Way
Broomfield, CO  80021

          Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Gentlemen:

          We have acted as special counsel to Corporate Express, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, of 10,721,790 shares of common stock of the Company, par value
$.0002 per share (the "Shares"), issuable upon the exercise of options granted
under the Corporate Express, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors,
the Corporate Express, Inc. Supplemental Stock Option Plan, the Distribution
Resources Company Stock Option Plan and the Computer Software Inc. Incentive 
Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "Plans").

          In rendering our opinion, we have reviewed such certificates,
documents, corporate records and other instruments as in our judgment are
necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.  In
giving this opinion, we are assuming the authenticity of all instruments
presented to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all
instruments presented to us as copies and the genuineness of all signatures.

          Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued upon exercise of options granted under the Plans, in accordance with the
terms thereof, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

          We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 being filed with respect to the offering of
the Shares.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll
                                    Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll