<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>                                          87,460
<SECURITIES>                                    37,185
<RECEIVABLES>                                  775,122
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (38,351)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,725,725
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,706,346
<PP&E>                                         456,393
<DEPRECIATION>                               (192,213)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,299,147
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,666,946
<BONDS>                                        297,909
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       623,580
<OTHER-SE>                                     585,490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,299,147
<SALES>                                      5,351,882
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,351,882
<CGS>                                        4,934,196
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,934,196
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               251,569
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (13,974)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                138,490
<INCOME-TAX>                                    57,838
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             80,652
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    80,652
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.75