<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CARDINAL HEALTH INC.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> JUL-1-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 150 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 1,491 <ALLOWANCES> (68) <INVENTORY> 2,864 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,885 <PP&E> 2,614 <DEPRECIATION> (1,145) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,565 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,854 <BONDS> 1,320 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,072 <OTHER-SE> 1,908 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,565 <SALES> 15,377 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 15,377 <CGS> 13,733 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,733 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,031 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (71) <INCOME-PRETAX> 500 <INCOME-TAX> 181 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 319 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 319 <EPS-BASIC> 1.14 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.12