<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000945633
<NAME> UNITED STATIONERS SUPPLY CO
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 22,525 22,525
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 356,259 356,259
<ALLOWANCES> 13,282 13,282
<INVENTORY> 597,484 597,484
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 987,334 987,334
<PP&E> 321,682 321,682
<DEPRECIATION> (135,623) (135,623)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,373,369 1,373,369
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 568,070 568,070
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 3,721 3,721
<OTHER-SE> 471,633 471,633
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,373,369 1,373,369
<SALES> 998,976 2,907,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 998,976 2,907,261
<CGS> 835,080 2,437,234
<TOTAL-COSTS> 835,080 2,437,234
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 112,849 327,591
<LOSS-PROVISION> 105 2,715
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,855 19,826
<INCOME-PRETAX> 44,192 122,610
<INCOME-TAX> 17,765 49,491
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,427 73,119
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 6,476
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 26,427 66,643
<EPS-BASIC> 0.77 1.95
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.76 1.91
</TABLE>