<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 133,300 <SECURITIES> 57,000 <RECEIVABLES> 977,300 <ALLOWANCES> 44,300 <INVENTORY> 1,283,800 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,433,300 <PP&E> 746,900 <DEPRECIATION> 380,200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,433,700 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,803,600 <BONDS> 439,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 977,500 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,433,700 <SALES> 5,401,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 5,401,500 <CGS> 4,938,600 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,316,200 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 3,600 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 85,300 <INCOME-TAX> 32,700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 52,600 <DISCONTINUED> 5,600 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 58,200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.30 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.30