<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF HUGHES SUPPLY, INC. AS OF APRIL 30, 1996, AND
THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000049029
<NAME> HUGHES SUPPLY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           3,081
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,833
<INVENTORY>                                    142,450
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               328,540
<PP&E>                                         123,471
<DEPRECIATION>                                  62,119
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 418,593
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          137,276
<BONDS>                                        116,927
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,380
<OTHER-SE>                                     155,111
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   418,593
<SALES>                                        315,637
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               315,637
<CGS>                                          252,443
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  252,443
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,792
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   822
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,970
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,095
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,774
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,321
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,321
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57