<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
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          90,151
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  850,937
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (39,605)
<INVENTORY>                                  2,157,814
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             3,303,380
<PP&E>                                         537,672
<DEPRECIATION>                               (222,825)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,973,029
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,003,075
<BONDS>                                        273,267
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       700,603
<OTHER-SE>                                     846,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,973,029
<SALES>                                      9,381,955
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,381,955
<CGS>                                        8,627,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,627,913
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               412,372
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (17,261)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                297,766
<INCOME-TAX>                                   121,234
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            176,532
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   176,532
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.58