<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             552
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   92,331
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,885
<INVENTORY>                                     64,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               157,889
<PP&E>                                          21,622
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,648
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 175,288
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           77,641
<BONDS>                                         31,116
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            65
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,128
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   175,288
<SALES>                                        603,814
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               603,814
<CGS>                                          543,848
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  543,848
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,594
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,677
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,659
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,292
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,367
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,367
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0