<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          69,935
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  340,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                    13,548
<INVENTORY>                                    590,675
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,004,596
<PP&E>                                          85,985
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,432
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,083,132
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          685,141
<BONDS>                                        500,850
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           255
<OTHER-SE>                                   (110,632)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,083,132
<SALES>                                      2,644,569
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,644,569
<CGS>                                        2,496,686
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,496,686
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   192
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,002
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,672
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,722
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,950
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,950
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .84