<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE 13 WEEKS ENDED APRIL 3, 1998 AND APRIL 4, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INCLUDING IN SUCH REPORTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000052795
<NAME> ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-1999             JAN-02-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-03-1998             JAN-04-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-03-1998             APR-04-1997
<CASH>                                          12,500                   9,200
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  559,200                 480,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,600                   9,000
<INVENTORY>                                    429,900                 383,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,012,100                 884,800
<PP&E>                                         162,400                 133,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,600                  72,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,396,800               1,261,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          405,000                 337,600
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        47,300                  47,300
<OTHER-SE>                                     453,400                 371,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,396,800               1,261,600
<SALES>                                        748,500                 658,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               748,500                 658,700
<CGS>                                          563,400                 495,900
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  720,700                 633,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,100                   7,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,100                  19,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,700                   8,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,400                  11,100
<DISCONTINUED>                                  11,100                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,500                  11,100
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .58                     .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .58                     .23