To find the space inside a cube (which is the volume of the cube), we use the formula for the volume of a cube:
\[ V = s^3 \]
where \(s\) is the length of a side of the cube.
Given that each side length \(s\) is 8.5 inches, we can calculate the volume as follows:
\[ V = (8.5)^3 \]
Now, calculating \(8.5^3\):
\[ 8.5 \times 8.5 = 72.25 \] \[ 72.25 \times 8.5 = 613.125 \]
So, the volume of the cube is:
\[ V = 613.125 \text{ cubic inches} \]
Rounding to the nearest hundredth, the volume of the cube is:
\[ \boxed{613.13} \text{ cubic inches} \]