<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON-CORPORATION <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 188,300 <SECURITIES> 57,000 <RECEIVABLES> 1,037,300 <ALLOWANCES> 48,100 <INVENTORY> 1,342,700 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,618,300 <PP&E> 833,200 <DEPRECIATION> 444,300 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,563,600 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,868,600 <BONDS> 445,700 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 977,500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,563,600 <SALES> 7,068,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,068,000 <CGS> 6,496,800 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,966,900 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,300 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 22,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 101,100 <INCOME-TAX> 39,400 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 58,200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 58,200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.30 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.30