<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.'S SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN SUCH REPORTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000052795 <NAME> ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 <CASH> 20,777 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 659,004 <ALLOWANCES> 16,763 <INVENTORY> 777,540 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,473,857 <PP&E> 155,846 <DEPRECIATION> 105,923 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,796,085 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 620,587 <BONDS> 660,841 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 37,139 <OTHER-SE> 461,700 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,796,085 <SALES> 1,650,588 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,650,588 <CGS> 1,283,972 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,563,077 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,372 <INCOME-PRETAX> 66,882 <INCOME-TAX> 28,090 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 38,792 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 38,792 <EPS-BASIC> 1.08 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.04