<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Anixter International Inc.'s Consolidated Financial statements and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such finacial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1997
<CASH>                                          15,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  552,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,000
<INVENTORY>                                    411,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               988,000
<PP&E>                                         148,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                  84,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,406,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          396,100
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     408,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,406,900
<SALES>                                      2,067,800
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,067,800
<CGS>                                        1,557,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,987,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,800
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69