<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 124,800 <SECURITIES> 105,000 <RECEIVABLES> 1,268,400 <ALLOWANCES> 43,900 <INVENTORY> 2,259,500 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,761,100 <PP&E> 779,300 <DEPRECIATION> 405,700 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,172,800 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,637,200 <BONDS> 824,900 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 400 <OTHER-SE> 1,260,400 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,172,800 <SALES> 12,886,700 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,886,700 <CGS> 11,849,400 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,849,400 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 55,700 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,100 <INCOME-TAX> 31,300 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,100 <DISCONTINUED> 128,800 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 133,900 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.01 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.98