<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-30-1996  
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                     $74,185,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              501,223,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                31,940,000
<INVENTORY>                                347,675,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,514,727,000
<PP&E>                                     516,444,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             298,981,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           5,266,859,000<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    1,126,977,000
<BONDS>                                  1,684,567,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                290,170,000
<COMMON>                                 1,200,331,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 645,702,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             5,266,859,000
<SALES>                                  1,715,263,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         2,975,065,000
<CGS>                                    1,114,398,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,752,981,000<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           995,804,000<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            12,594,000<F4>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          25,942,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            200,338,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                79,259,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        121,079,000
<DISCONTINUED>                              34,717,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               155,796,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.09
<FN>
<F1> Includes net assets held for distribution to shareholders
     of $1,558,807,000.
<F2> Includes Finance Subsidiaries interest of $48,073,000.
<F3> Represents selling, general, and administrative expenses.
<F4> Continuing operations only.