<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 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. THE AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN RETROACTIVELY
RESTATED FOR THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE.
</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>                               236,604
<PP&E>                                          33,899
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,706
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,748
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,358
<BONDS>                                         42,089
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           171
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,310
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   273,748
<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>                                 17,127
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,408
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,719
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                        (405)
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,314
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.58