<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON CORPORATION <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 281,800 <SECURITIES> 195,400 <RECEIVABLES> 824,500 <ALLOWANCES> (43,100) <INVENTORY> 1,379,100 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,665,000 <PP&E> 799,600 <DEPRECIATION> (419,800) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,503,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,722,600 <BONDS> 442,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 1,064,200 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,503,900 <SALES> 13,716,400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 13,716,400 <CGS> 12,569,400 <TOTAL-COSTS> 12,569,400 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 13,900 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 46,700 <INCOME-PRETAX> 227,400 <INCOME-TAX> (88,700) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 135,400 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 135,400 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.90 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.90