<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             914
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   98,205
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,262
<INVENTORY>                                     70,295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               169,768
<PP&E>                                          25,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,727
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 186,973
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,984
<BONDS>                                         29,216
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           136 
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,004
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   186,973
<SALES>                                        538,966
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               538,966
<CGS>                                          485,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  485,026
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,250
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,619
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,178
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,342
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,836
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,836
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83