<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000075252
<NAME> OWENS & MINOR, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             295
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  275,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,161
<INVENTORY>                                    316,330
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               615,311
<PP&E>                                          70,817
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,803
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 848,401
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          289,599
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    115,000
<COMMON>                                        63,478
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,217
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   848,401
<SALES>                                        771,312
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               771,312
<CGS>                                          697,133
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  761,824
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   744
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   279
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,665
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,146
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,519
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,519
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01