<ARTICLE>                 5
<LEGEND>                  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF
                          ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.'S SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                          2000 10Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
                          TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN SUCH REPORTS.

<CIK>                                                       0000052795
<NAME>                                             ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                      1000

                                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                       JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                             20,777
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      659,004
<ALLOWANCES>                                       16,763
<INVENTORY>                                        777,540
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   1,473,857
<PP&E>                                             155,846
<DEPRECIATION>                                     105,923
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     1,796,085
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              620,587
<BONDS>                                            660,841
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                           37,139
<OTHER-SE>                                         461,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       1,796,085
<SALES>                                            1,650,588
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   1,650,588
<CGS>                                              1,283,972
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      1,563,077
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 21,372
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    66,882
<INCOME-TAX>                                       28,090
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                38,792
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                       38,792
<EPS-BASIC>                                        1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      1.04