<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> 115,500 <SECURITIES> 139,300 <RECEIVABLES> 833,100 <ALLOWANCES> 42,100 <INVENTORY> 1,266,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,332,800 <PP&E> 728,600 <DEPRECIATION> 368,500 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,301,200 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,654,400 <BONDS> 438,600 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 992,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,301,200 <SALES> 2,670,600 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,670,600 <CGS> 2,438,700 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,627,100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,700 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,900 <INCOME-PRETAX> 43,500 <INCOME-TAX> 16,700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 26,800 <DISCONTINUED> 3,300 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 30,100 <EPS-PRIMARY> .66 <EPS-DILUTED> .66