<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERISOURCE
HEALTH AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          66,834
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  499,857
<ALLOWANCES>                                    19,775
<INVENTORY>                                    825,424
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,397,754
<PP&E>                                         112,542
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,055
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,519,505
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          865,672
<BONDS>                                        656,173
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           270
<OTHER-SE>                                     (13,351)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,519,505
<SALES>                                      3,532,404
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,532,404
<CGS>                                        3,353,351
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,353,351
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               117,476
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,371
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,355
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 41,222
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,273
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,949
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,982)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,967
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .95