<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                      59,362,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                            1,112,106,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                35,401,000
<INVENTORY>                                727,264,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         2,002,848,000
<PP&E>                                     698,064,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             333,293,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           4,394,949,000<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    1,297,853,000
<BONDS>                                    616,415,000
<COMMON>                                   609,699,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                201,421,000<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                 697,694,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             4,394,949,000<F3>
<SALES>                                  7,155,565,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         7,223,313,000
<CGS>                                    5,352,518,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            5,379,987,000<F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         1,547,434,000<F5>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            16,764,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          42,375,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            253,517,000
<INCOME-TAX>                               100,001,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        153,516,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               153,516,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.53
<FN>
<F1>Redeemable solely at the Company's option.
<F2>Includes Finance Subsidiaries assets (primarily lease receivables) of
    $868,886,000
<F3>Includes Finance Subsidiaries liabilities (primarily debt) of $752,220,000
<F4>Includes Finance Subsidiaries interest of $27,469,000
<F5>Represents selling, general, and administrative expenses.
</FN>