<ARTICLE>   5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DELL
COMPUTER CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD
ENDED JULY 31, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                                  1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       JAN-29-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                            JUL-31-1994
<CASH>                                                       35,401
<SECURITIES>                                                297,882
<RECEIVABLES>                                               435,165
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                                 238,906
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                          1,130,909
<PP&E>                                                      104,661
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            1,240,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                       572,225
<BONDS>                                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                      13
<COMMON>                                                        385
<OTHER-SE>                                                  525,749
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              1,240,565
<SALES>                                                   1,558,128
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                          1,558,128
<CGS>                                                     1,218,659
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             1,218,659
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            228,423
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            4,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              68,844
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 21,312
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          47,532
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 47,532
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  1.03