<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL
INC.'S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                      17,500,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              547,800,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                10,300,000
<INVENTORY>                                536,400,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,121,100,000
<PP&E>                                     158,600,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             105,500,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,434,700,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      495,500,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    35,900,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 420,500,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,434,700,000
<SALES>                                  2,670,000,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         2,670,000,000
<CGS>                                    2,042,700,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            2,557,200,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (300,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          34,900,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             78,200,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,500,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         69,700,000
<DISCONTINUED>                              54,500,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               124,200,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.26