<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 163,100 <SECURITIES> 139,300 <RECEIVABLES> 913,000 <ALLOWANCES> 46,200 <INVENTORY> 1,327,700 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,533,300 <PP&E> 815,400 <DEPRECIATION> 432,300 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,447,900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,736,700 <BONDS> 444,800 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 992,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,447,900 <SALES> 3,501,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,501,500 <CGS> 3,210,300 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,210,300 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,600 <INCOME-PRETAX> 52,600 <INCOME-TAX> 20,500 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,100 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 30,100 <EPS-PRIMARY> .66 <EPS-DILUTED> .66