<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF DAISYTEK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,161
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  125,732
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,385
<INVENTORY>                                    107,195
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               236,998
<PP&E>                                          33,899
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,706
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 274,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,437
<BONDS>                                         42,089
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           171
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,625
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   274,142
<SALES>                                        442,740
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               442,740
<CGS>                                          389,490
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  389,490
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,073
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,641
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,981
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,352
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,629
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,629
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.60