<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE SECOND
QUARTER FORM 10-Q OF VANSTAR GROUP, INC. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                          11,112
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  298,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,100
<INVENTORY>                                    231,726
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               563,113
<PP&E>                                         115,646
<DEPRECIATION>                                  64,074
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 781,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          425,608
<BONDS>                                            581
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,915
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            44
<OTHER-SE>                                     159,304
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   781,682
<SALES>                                      1,019,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,258,557
<CGS>                                          933,461
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,077,808
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (52,896)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (9,042)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (43,854)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (48,312)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.11)