<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1995 <CASH> 370,800 <SECURITIES> 394,800 <RECEIVABLES> 859,000 <ALLOWANCES> (49,500) <INVENTORY> 1,108,200 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,769,300 <PP&E> 774,800 <DEPRECIATION> (402,200) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,576,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,799,800 <BONDS> 456,000 <COMMON> 400 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 1,051,500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,576,900 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,684,400 <CGS> 6,116,900 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,547,700 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,200 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 24,400 <INCOME-PRETAX> 112,300 <INCOME-TAX> (44,900) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 64,500 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 64,500 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.38 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.38