<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 71,000 <SECURITIES> 98,000 <RECEIVABLES> 1,594,400 <ALLOWANCES> 73,900 <INVENTORY> 2,358,100 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,108,300 <PP&E> 828,700 <DEPRECIATION> 432,200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,584,200 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,862,600 <BONDS> 918,100 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 900 <OTHER-SE> 1,364,300 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,584,200 <SALES> 13,481,300 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 13,481,300 <CGS> 12,371,800 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,283,100 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 5,800 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 74,800 <INCOME-PRETAX> 198,200 <INCOME-TAX> 74,300 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 119,200 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 119,200 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.30 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.23