<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000927653 <NAME> MCKESSON <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 35,700 <SECURITIES> 77,900 <RECEIVABLES> 1,438,400 <ALLOWANCES> 58,000 <INVENTORY> 2,583,500 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,105,600 <PP&E> 870,300 <DEPRECIATION> 440,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,607,500 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,577,800 <BONDS> 1,194,200 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 900 <OTHER-SE> 1,405,900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,607,500 <SALES> 20,857,300 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,857,300 <CGS> 19,336,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 20,597,600 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 10,200 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 102,500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 259,700 <INCOME-TAX> 98,600 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 154,900 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 154,900 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.69 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.59