<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 103,500 <SECURITIES> 28,100 <RECEIVABLES> 2,076,700 <ALLOWANCES> 128,000 <INVENTORY> 3,207,200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,329,700 <PP&E> 971,000 <DEPRECIATION> 491,200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,016,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,808,700 <BONDS> 1,141,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 195,500 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,000 <OTHER-SE> 1,629,800 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,016,900 <SALES> 12,812,400 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,812,400 <CGS> 11,981,400 <TOTAL-COSTS> 12,722,900 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 7,500 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 57,400 <INCOME-PRETAX> 89,500 <INCOME-TAX> 34,900 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 51,500 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 51,500 <EPS-PRIMARY> .54 <EPS-DILUTED> .51