<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000355999
<NAME> UNITED STATIONERS, INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                         3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998        DEC-31-1997  
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998        JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998        MAR-31-1997
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<SECURITIES>                                         0                  0
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<CGS>                                          589,455            526,279
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  589,455            526,279
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                85,037             76,704
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   583              1,586
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,199             17,377
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