<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CARDINAL
HEALTH INC.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             318
<SECURITIES>                                        14
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,651
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (80)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,381
<PP&E>                                           2,736
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,191)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,083
<BONDS>                                          1,535
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,100
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,196
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,465
<SALES>                                         12,088
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,088
<CGS>                                           10,842
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,842
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   775
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (49)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    380
<INCOME-TAX>                                       144
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                236
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       236
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83