<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 79,300 <SECURITIES> 97,000 <RECEIVABLES> 1,398,000 <ALLOWANCES> 65,200 <INVENTORY> 2,214,900 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,777,400 <PP&E> 810,800 <DEPRECIATION> 425,100 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,235,500 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,656,200 <BONDS> 806,100 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 1,331,100 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,235,500 <SALES> 8,810,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,810,500 <CGS> 8,078,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 8,681,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,700 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 48,100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 129,500 <INCOME-TAX> 49,200 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 77,200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 77,200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.61 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.58