<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 76,800 <SECURITIES> 95,900 <RECEIVABLES> 1,294,300 <ALLOWANCES> 46,300 <INVENTORY> 2,116,900 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,588,200 <PP&E> 796,100 <DEPRECIATION> 418,400 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,018,100 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,463,400 <BONDS> 807,700 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 1,294,800 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,018,100 <SALES> 4,342,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,342,700 <CGS> 3,977,900 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,279,500 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,800 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 63,200 <INCOME-TAX> 24,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 37,600 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 37,600 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.79 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.78