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                                                                      EXHIBIT 28

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To Costco Wholesale Corporation:

     We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of
Costco Wholesale Corporation (a Washington corporation) and subsidiaries as of
February 18, 2001, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income
for the twelve-week and twenty-four-week periods ended February 18, 2001 and
February 13, 2000, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for
the twenty-four-week periods then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.

     We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to
financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is
the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a
whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

     Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

                                          /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Seattle, Washington
March 6, 2001

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