<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000945633 <NAME> UNITED STATIONERS SUPPLY CO. <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 <CASH> 11,504 12,367 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 289,532 304,547 <ALLOWANCES> 7,295 7,373 <INVENTORY> 484,911 511,555 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 794,406 850,687 <PP&E> 241,176 226,650 <DEPRECIATION> 79,282 56,864 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,087,692 1,148,021 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 363,082 399,238 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 1,602 1,591 <OTHER-SE> 235,164 221,717 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,087,692 1,148,021 <SALES> 712,517 635,021 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 712,517 635,021 <CGS> 589,455 526,279 <TOTAL-COSTS> 589,455 526,279 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 85,037 76,704 <LOSS-PROVISION> 583 1,586 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,826 14,661 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,199 17,377 <INCOME-TAX> 11,108 7,368 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,091 9,554 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 15,091 9,554 <EPS-PRIMARY> .94 0.78 <EPS-DILUTED> .88 0.65