WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDLUE 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
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         111,654
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  790,748
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (38,417)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,938,526
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,954,558
<PP&E>                                         514,221
<DEPRECIATION>                               (210,075)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,602,491
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,769,328
<BONDS>                                        275,615
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       667,858
<OTHER-SE>                                     803,702
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,602,491
<SALES>                                      6,000,476
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,000,476
<CGS>                                        5,525,713
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,525,713
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               270,265
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (10,165)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                197,022
<INCOME-TAX>                                    76,804
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            120,218
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   120,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08