<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             557
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,647
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,380
<INVENTORY>                                     57,452
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               139,628
<PP&E>                                          19,646
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,671
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 156,120
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,903
<BONDS>                                         26,764
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            65
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   156,120
<SALES>                                        429,471
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               429,471
<CGS>                                          387,008
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  387,008
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   908
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,220
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,805
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,360
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,360
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0