<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF STAPLES, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED OCTOBER
28, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 105,269
<SECURITIES> 1,028
<RECEIVABLES> 534,978
<ALLOWANCES> 9,591
<INVENTORY> 1,667,932
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,425,954
<PP&E> 1,883,966
<DEPRECIATION> 637,101
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,253,949
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,545,279
<BONDS> 779,580
0
0
<COMMON> 293
<OTHER-SE> 1,859,527
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,253,949
<SALES> 7,558,852
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,558,852
<CGS> 5,726,258
<TOTAL-COSTS> 6,914,066
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 322,491
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,809
<INCOME-PRETAX> 290,486
<INCOME-TAX> 119,099
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 171,387
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 171,387<F1>
<EPS-BASIC> .00
<EPS-DILUTED> .00<F2>
<FN>
<F1>(INCOME-BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST) 171,387
(MINORITY INTEREST) 0
<F2>STAPLES RD STOCK EPS - BASIC .39
STAPLES RD STOCK EPS - DILUTED .38
STAPLES.COM STOCK - BASIC (.45)
STAPLES.COM STOCK EPS - DILUTED (.45)
</FN>
</TABLE>