<PAGE>
 
  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 24, 1998
                                                           Registration No. 333-
                                                                                
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC  20549

                               -----------------
                                        
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                        

                            PSS WORLD MEDICAL , INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               -----------------
                                        
              Florida                                         59-3500595
        (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

     4345 SOUTHPOINT BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32216 (904) 332-3000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                GULF SOUTH MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 1997 STOCK PLAN

                GULF SOUTH MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 1992 STOCK PLAN
                           (Full title of the plans)
                                        
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>                                                     <C> 
                                                                                  COPIES TO:
                           PATRICK C. KELLY                                J. VAUGHAN CURTIS, ESQ.
          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER                KIMBERLY A. KNIGHT, ESQ.
                       PSS WORLD MEDICAL, INC.                                ALSTON & BIRD LLP
                      4345 SOUTHPOINT BOULEVARD                              ONE ATLANTIC CENTER
                     JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32216                         1201 WEST PEACHTREE STREET
                           (904) 332-3000                                    ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING             (404) 881-7000
                   AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
</TABLE>
                                        
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
           TITLE OF SECURITIES         AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE PER     AGGREGATE OFFERING         AMOUNT OF
            TO BE REGISTERED          REGISTERED (1)        SHARE (2)             PRICE (2)           REGISTRATION FEE (2)
                                
<S>                                   <C>             <C>                         <C>                         <C>
                                
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value           1,205,554             $16.625              $20,042,335             $5,912.49
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) The amount registered represents 1,058,400 authorized and unissued shares
    reserved for issuance under the 1997 Stock Plan and 147,154 shares under the
    1992 Plan.  The 1997 Plan and 1992 Plan were assumed by the registrant in
    connection with a business combination transaction with Gulf South Medical
    Supply, Inc.

(2) In accordance with Rule 457 (c) and Rule 457(h) promulgated under the
    Securities Act of 1933, these calculations are based upon a price of $16.625
    per share, which represents the average of the high and low prices of the
    Registrant's Common Stock on September 17, 1998, as reported on the Nasdaq
    National Market System.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        
ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

       There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement, and specifically made a part hereof, the following documents
heretofore filed by PSS World Medical, Inc., formerly Physician Sales & Service,
Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"):

       (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
April 3, 1998;

       (b)  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1998; and

       (c)  Description of the Company's Common Stock set forth in the Company's
registration statement filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

       All other documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.

       Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose
of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be,
incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

       Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

       The legality of the Common Stock registered hereby has been passed upon
by Fred Elefant, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida.  Mr. Elefant, Secretary of the
Registrant, provides legal services as counsel to the Company.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

       The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant set forth the extent to which the
Registrant's directors and officers may be indemnified against liabilities they

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
may incur while serving in such capacities.  Such indemnification will be
provided to the fullest extent allowed by the Florida Business Corporation Act,
as amended from time to time, and judicial or administrative decisions.  Under
these indemnification provisions, the Registrant is required to indemnify any of
its directors and officers against any reasonable expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by him in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which he was made a party,
or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,, by reason of the fact that
he is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or who, while a director or
officer of the Registrant, is or was serving at the Registrant's request as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise to
the extent that such director or officer has been successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in such defense.  The Registrant also may indemnify any of its
directors or officers against any liability incurred in connection with any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Registrant, in which event, additional determinations must be made
before indemnification is provided) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director or officer of the Registrant who, while a director or officer of the
Registrant, is or was serving at the Registrant's request as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, if
such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant, and with respect to
any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable case to believe his conduct was
unlawful.  The Registrant may also provide advancement of reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.  The Registrant may also provide advancement
of expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of a written affirmation of such officer or director
that he has met certain standards of conduct an understanding by or on behalf of
such officer or director to repay such advances unless it is ultimately
determined that he is entitled to indemnification by the Registrant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant
provide that the Registrant shall not be required to indemnify any of its
directors or officers in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person
unless such authorization for such proceeding was not denied by the Board of
Directors of the Registrant prior to sixty (60) days after receipt of notice
thereof from such person stating his or her intent to initiate such proceeding
and only upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may deem
appropriate.

       The Florida Business Corporation Act contains a provision which limits
the personal liability for monetary damages to the corporation or any other
person for any statement, vote, decision, or failure to act, regarding corporate
management or policy, by a director, unless the director breached or failed to
perform his duties as a director and such breach constitutes (i) a violation of
criminal law, unless the director has reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful; (ii) a transaction from which the director received an improper
personal benefit; (iii) an unlawful distribution under Florida law, (iv) in a
proceeding by or in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor or by or in the right of a shareholder, conscious disregard for the best
interest of the corporation, or willful misconduct; or (v) in a proceeding by or
in the right of someone other that the corporation or a shareholder,
recklessness or an act or omission which was committed in bad faith or with
malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton or willful disregard of human
rights, safety or property.  The Registrant maintains an insurance policy
insuring the Registrant and directors and officers of the Registrant against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

       Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

       The exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement are as
follows:
<TABLE> 
Exhibit No.                              Exhibit
-----------                              -------

<C>             <S>
 4.1            Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the
                Registrant (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Current Report
                on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 8, 1998).

 4.2            Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference
                from Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
                33-76580).

 4.3            Form of Specimen Certificate of PSS World Medical, Inc. Common Stock
                (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
                filed with the Commission on April 8, 1998).
                 
5               Opinion of Counsel.
             
23.1            Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
             
23.2            Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
                 
23.3            Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                 
24              Power of attorney (see signature page).
</TABLE> 
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
       (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
     after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
     registration statement;

               (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
     plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
     statement or any material change to such information in this registration
     statement;

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
       provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities being offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

       (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

       (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the registrant's articles of
incorporation, bylaws, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on this 18th day of
September, 1998.


                              PSS WORLD MEDICAL, INC.


                              By:/s/ Patrick C. Kelly
                                 --------------------
                                 Patrick C. Kelly
                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                 Chief Executive Officer

                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
       KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Patrick C. Kelly and David A. Smith, and
either of them, as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Signature                                 Title                         Date
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                <C>
 
/s/ Patrick C. Kelly                         Chairman of the Board and           September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------       Chief Executive Officer
Patrick C. Kelly                             (principal executive officer)
                                            
                                            

/s/ David A. Smith                              Executive Vice President,
------------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer and       September 18, 1998
David A. Smith                                Director (principal financial
                                                and accounting officer)
                                            
                                            
                                                                                                                                   
                                                       Director                  September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Thomas G. Hixon                                                                         

                                                       Director                  September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Hugh M. Brown                                                                            

/s/ T. O'Neal Douglas                                  Director                  September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------  
T. O'Neal Douglas                           
                                             
/s/ Melvin L. Hecktman                                 Director                  September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Melvin L. Hecktman                          

                                             
------------------------------------------             Director                  September __, 1998
Delores Kesler                              
 
</TABLE>

                                     II-7
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                     <C>                      <C>
                                                       Director                 September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
             Charles R. Scott              
                                                       
/s/ James L.L. Tullis                                  Director                 September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------ 
            James L.L. Tullis              
                                                       
/s/ Donna C. E. Williamson                             Director                 September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------ 
          Donna C. E. Williamson             
</TABLE>

                                     II-8
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                        

Exhibit No.         Exhibit
-----------         -------

 4.1                Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
                    of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from the
                    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                    Commission on April 8, 1998).

 4.2                Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated
                    by reference from Registrant's Registration Statement on
                    Form S-1, Registration No. 33-76580).

 4.3                Form of Specimen Certificate of PSS World Medical, Inc.
                    Common Stock (incorporated by reference from the
                    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                    Commission on April 8, 1998).
                    
5                   Opinion of Counsel

23.1                Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).

23.2                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23.3                Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

24                  Power of attorney (see signature page).
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 22533}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PSS WORLD MEDICAL INC", "cik": "0000920527", "assigned-sic": "5047", "irs-number": "593500595", "state-of-incorporation": "FL", "fiscal-year-end": "0329"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-64187", "film-number": "98714302"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4345 SOUTHPOINT BLVD", "street2": "STE 250", "city": "JACKSONVILLE", "state": "FL", "zip": "32216", "phone": "9043323000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "7800 BELFORT PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 250", "city": "JACKSONVILLE", "state": "FL", "zip": "32256"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "PHYSICIAN SALES & SERVICE INC /FL/", "date-changed": "19940318"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 24, 1998
                                                           Registration No. 333-
                                                                                
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC  20549

                               -----------------
                                        
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                        

                            PSS WORLD MEDICAL , INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               -----------------
                                        
              Florida                                         59-3500595
        (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

     4345 SOUTHPOINT BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32216 (904) 332-3000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                GULF SOUTH MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 1997 STOCK PLAN

                GULF SOUTH MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 1992 STOCK PLAN
                           (Full title of the plans)
                                        
                               -----------------
COPIES TO:
                           PATRICK C. KELLY                                J. VAUGHAN CURTIS, ESQ.
          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER                KIMBERLY A. KNIGHT, ESQ.
                       PSS WORLD MEDICAL, INC.                                ALSTON & BIRD LLP
                      4345 SOUTHPOINT BOULEVARD                              ONE ATLANTIC CENTER
                     JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA  32216                         1201 WEST PEACHTREE STREET
                           (904) 332-3000                                    ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING             (404) 881-7000
                   AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
           TITLE OF SECURITIES         AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE PER     AGGREGATE OFFERING         AMOUNT OF
            TO BE REGISTERED          REGISTERED (1)        SHARE (2)             PRICE (2)           REGISTRATION FEE (2)
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value           1,205,554             $16.625              $20,042,335             $5,912.49
===================================================================================================================================
(1) The amount registered represents 1,058,400 authorized and unissued shares
    reserved for issuance under the 1997 Stock Plan and 147,154 shares under the
    1992 Plan.  The 1997 Plan and 1992 Plan were assumed by the registrant in
    connection with a business combination transaction with Gulf South Medical
    Supply, Inc.

(2) In accordance with Rule 457 (c) and Rule 457(h) promulgated under the
    Securities Act of 1933, these calculations are based upon a price of $16.625
    per share, which represents the average of the high and low prices of the
    Registrant's Common Stock on September 17, 1998, as reported on the Nasdaq
    National Market System.

                                       1
PART II
               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        
ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

       There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement, and specifically made a part hereof, the following documents
heretofore filed by PSS World Medical, Inc., formerly Physician Sales & Service,
Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"):

       (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
April 3, 1998;

       (b)  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 1998; and

       (c)  Description of the Company's Common Stock set forth in the Company's
registration statement filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

       All other documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents.

       Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose
of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be,
incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

       Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

       The legality of the Common Stock registered hereby has been passed upon
by Fred Elefant, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida.  Mr. Elefant, Secretary of the
Registrant, provides legal services as counsel to the Company.

Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

       The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant set forth the extent to which the
Registrant's directors and officers may be indemnified against liabilities they

                                     II-2
may incur while serving in such capacities.  Such indemnification will be
provided to the fullest extent allowed by the Florida Business Corporation Act,
as amended from time to time, and judicial or administrative decisions.  Under
these indemnification provisions, the Registrant is required to indemnify any of
its directors and officers against any reasonable expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by him in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which he was made a party,
or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,, by reason of the fact that
he is or was a director or officer of the Registrant or who, while a director or
officer of the Registrant, is or was serving at the Registrant's request as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise to
the extent that such director or officer has been successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in such defense.  The Registrant also may indemnify any of its
directors or officers against any liability incurred in connection with any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the Registrant, in which event, additional determinations must be made
before indemnification is provided) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director or officer of the Registrant who, while a director or officer of the
Registrant, is or was serving at the Registrant's request as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, if
such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant, and with respect to
any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable case to believe his conduct was
unlawful.  The Registrant may also provide advancement of reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.  The Registrant may also provide advancement
of expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of a written affirmation of such officer or director
that he has met certain standards of conduct an understanding by or on behalf of
such officer or director to repay such advances unless it is ultimately
determined that he is entitled to indemnification by the Registrant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant
provide that the Registrant shall not be required to indemnify any of its
directors or officers in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person
unless such authorization for such proceeding was not denied by the Board of
Directors of the Registrant prior to sixty (60) days after receipt of notice
thereof from such person stating his or her intent to initiate such proceeding
and only upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may deem
appropriate.

       The Florida Business Corporation Act contains a provision which limits
the personal liability for monetary damages to the corporation or any other
person for any statement, vote, decision, or failure to act, regarding corporate
management or policy, by a director, unless the director breached or failed to
perform his duties as a director and such breach constitutes (i) a violation of
criminal law, unless the director has reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful; (ii) a transaction from which the director received an improper
personal benefit; (iii) an unlawful distribution under Florida law, (iv) in a
proceeding by or in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor or by or in the right of a shareholder, conscious disregard for the best
interest of the corporation, or willful misconduct; or (v) in a proceeding by or
in the right of someone other that the corporation or a shareholder,
recklessness or an act or omission which was committed in bad faith or with
malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting wanton or willful disregard of human
rights, safety or property.  The Registrant maintains an insurance policy
insuring the Registrant and directors and officers of the Registrant against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                     II-3
ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

       Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

       The exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement are as
follows:
 
Exhibit No.                              Exhibit
-----------                              -------
4.1            Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the
                Registrant (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Current Report
                on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 8, 1998).

 4.2            Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference
                from Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
                33-76580).

 4.3            Form of Specimen Certificate of PSS World Medical, Inc. Common Stock
                (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
                filed with the Commission on April 8, 1998).
                 
5               Opinion of Counsel.
             
23.1            Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).
             
23.2            Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
                 
23.3            Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
                 
24              Power of attorney (see signature page).
ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
       (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
     after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
     registration statement;

               (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
     plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration
     statement or any material change to such information in this registration
     statement;

                                     II-4
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not
apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to
the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities being offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

       (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

       (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the registrant's articles of
incorporation, bylaws, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

                                     II-5
SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Jacksonville, State of Florida, on this 18th day of
September, 1998.

                              PSS WORLD MEDICAL, INC.

                              By:/s/ Patrick C. Kelly
                                 --------------------
                                 Patrick C. Kelly
                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                 Chief Executive Officer

                                     II-6
KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Patrick C. Kelly and David A. Smith, and
either of them, as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorney-in-fact, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature                                 Title                         Date
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
/s/ Patrick C. Kelly                         Chairman of the Board and           September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------       Chief Executive Officer
Patrick C. Kelly                             (principal executive officer)
                                            
                                            

/s/ David A. Smith                              Executive Vice President,
------------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer and       September 18, 1998
David A. Smith                                Director (principal financial
                                                and accounting officer)
                                            
                                            
                                                                                                                                   
                                                       Director                  September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Thomas G. Hixon                                                                         

                                                       Director                  September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Hugh M. Brown                                                                            

/s/ T. O'Neal Douglas                                  Director                  September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------  
T. O'Neal Douglas                           
                                             
/s/ Melvin L. Hecktman                                 Director                  September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------  
Melvin L. Hecktman                          

                                             
------------------------------------------             Director                  September __, 1998
Delores Kesler
II-7
Director                 September __, 1998
------------------------------------------  
             Charles R. Scott              
                                                       
/s/ James L.L. Tullis                                  Director                 September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------ 
            James L.L. Tullis              
                                                       
/s/ Donna C. E. Williamson                             Director                 September 18, 1998
------------------------------------------ 
          Donna C. E. Williamson
II-8
EXHIBIT INDEX
                                        

Exhibit No.         Exhibit
-----------         -------

 4.1                Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
                    of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from the
                    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                    Commission on April 8, 1998).

 4.2                Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated
                    by reference from Registrant's Registration Statement on
                    Form S-1, Registration No. 33-76580).

 4.3                Form of Specimen Certificate of PSS World Medical, Inc.
                    Common Stock (incorporated by reference from the
                    Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                    Commission on April 8, 1998).
                    
5                   Opinion of Counsel

23.1                Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5).

23.2                Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

23.3                Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

24                  Power of attorney (see signature page).