<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERISOURCE
HEALTH CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          57,418
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  340,049
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,292
<INVENTORY>                                    547,837
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               948,519
<PP&E>                                          80,035
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,014,586
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          621,249
<BONDS>                                        509,155
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           255
<OTHER-SE>                                   (124,142)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,014,586
<SALES>                                      1,282,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,282,513
<CGS>                                        1,212,788
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,212,788
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (145)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,132
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,259
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,850
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,850
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .39