<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CARDINAL
HEALTH INC.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             190
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,478
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (80)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,603
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,568
<PP&E>                                           2,573
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,110)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   7,208
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,617
<BONDS>                                          1,340
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,058
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,844
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     7,208
<SALES>                                          9,991
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,991
<CGS>                                            8,930
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,930
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   679
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (46)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    326
<INCOME-TAX>                                       122
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                204
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       204
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.72