<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