<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TECH DATA CORPORATION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> FEB-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 661 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 657,501 <ALLOWANCES> 23,922 <INVENTORY> 759,974 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,450,010 <PP&E> 109,664 <DEPRECIATION> 44,067 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,545,294 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,098,017 <BONDS> 8,896 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 5 <COMMON> 65 <OTHER-SE> 438,311 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,545,294 <SALES> 4,598,941 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,598,941 <CGS> 4,277,160 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,483,930 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 19,648 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,522 <INCOME-PRETAX> 93,489 <INCOME-TAX> 36,516 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 56,973 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 56,973 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.35 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.35