<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of Alco Standard Corporation and subsidiaries
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 Sep-30-1994
<PERIOD-END>                                      Sep-30-1994
<CASH>                                                 53,369
<SECURITIES>                                                0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         944,923
<ALLOWANCES>                                           29,428
<INVENTORY>                                           609,974
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    1,710,476
<PP&E>                                                653,722
<DEPRECIATION>                                        299,775
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      3,502,258 <F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               1,056,930
<BONDS>                                               340,771
<COMMON>                                              551,215
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                           199,912 <F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                            616,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        3,502,258 <F3>
<SALES>                                             7,925,784
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    7,996,052
<CGS>                                               5,884,819
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       5,912,797 <F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       19,668
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     43,802
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       156,812
<INCOME-TAX>                                           86,203
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                    70,609
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                           70,609
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                            1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                            1.10
<FN> 
 <F1> Redeemable solely at the Company's option.
 <F2> Includes Finance Subsidiaries assets (primarily lease receivables) of
      $562,403.
 <F3> Includes Finance Subsidiaries liabilities (primarily debt) of $498,710.
 <F4> Includes Finance Subsidiaries interest of $27,978.
</FN>