<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000945633
<NAME> UNITED STATIONERS SUPPLY CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 27,673 27,673
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 313,882 313,882
<ALLOWANCES> 13,454 13,454
<INVENTORY> 559,610 559,610
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 908,208 908,208
<PP&E> 0 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,274,628 1,274,628
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 485,608 485,608
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 3,721 3,721
<OTHER-SE> 444,382 444,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,274,628 1,274,628
<SALES> 928,927 1,908,285
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 928,927 1,908,285
<CGS> 780,588 1,602,154
<TOTAL-COSTS> 780,588 1,602,154
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 104,708 215,837
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,560 2,610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,557 12,971
<INCOME-PRETAX> 38,074 78,418
<INCOME-TAX> 15,306 31,726
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 22,768 46,692
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 6,476 6,476
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 16,292 40,216
<EPS-BASIC> 0.48 1.18
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.47 1.15
</TABLE>