A surgical cutting and fastening instrument, comprising: a surgical end effector (12; 1012; 3012; 4012; 5012) comprising: an elongated channel (14; 1014; 3014; 4014; 5014) configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; an anvil (20; 1020; 3020; 4020; 5020)supported relative to the elongated channel such that the anvil is configured to move toward and away from the elongated channel; and a firing member (610; 1190; 3610; 4610; 5610) operably supported for selective axial travel through the surgical staple cartridge and wherein the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises: means for selectively moving the anvil relative to the elongated channel; and means for applying firing motions to the firing member to move the firing member within the surgical staple cartridge, characterized in that the elongated channel is configured to move toward and away from the anvil and in that the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises means for selectively moving the elongated channel relative to the anvil. a surgical end effector (12; 1012; 3012; 4012; 5012) comprising: an elongated channel (14; 1014; 3014; 4014; 5014) configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; an anvil (20; 1020; 3020; 4020; 5020)supported relative to the elongated channel such that the anvil is configured to move toward and away from the elongated channel; and a firing member (610; 1190; 3610; 4610; 5610) operably supported for selective axial travel through the surgical staple cartridge and wherein the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises: means for selectively moving the anvil relative to the elongated channel; and means for applying firing motions to the firing member to move the firing member within the surgical staple cartridge, characterized in that the elongated channel is configured to move toward and away from the anvil and in that the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises means for selectively moving the elongated channel relative to the anvil. an elongated channel (14; 1014; 3014; 4014; 5014) configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; an anvil (20; 1020; 3020; 4020; 5020)supported relative to the elongated channel such that the anvil is configured to move toward and away from the elongated channel; and a firing member (610; 1190; 3610; 4610; 5610) operably supported for selective axial travel through the surgical staple cartridge and wherein the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises: means for selectively moving the anvil relative to the elongated channel; and means for applying firing motions to the firing member to move the firing member within the surgical staple cartridge, means for selectively moving the anvil relative to the elongated channel; and means for applying firing motions to the firing member to move the firing member within the surgical staple cartridge, characterized in that the elongated channel is configured to move toward and away from the anvil and in that the surgical cutting and fastening instrument further comprises means for selectively moving the elongated channel relative to the anvil.