<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES AS
OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           2,775
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  156,463
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,014
<INVENTORY>                                    114,687
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               278,249
<PP&E>                                          23,744
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,579
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 327,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          162,379
<BONDS>                                         50,552
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           177
<OTHER-SE>                                     165,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   327,896
<SALES>                                        567,687
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               567,687
<CGS>                                          505,210
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  505,210
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,764
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,144
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,416
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,362
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,101
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,101
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .35