<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF HUGHES SUPPLY, INC. AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1996,
AND THE RELATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,088
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  206,309
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,376
<INVENTORY>                                    192,048
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               412,235
<PP&E>                                         134,424
<DEPRECIATION>                                  68,684
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 570,047
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          147,774
<BONDS>                                        167,774
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,124
<OTHER-SE>                                     242,254
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   570,047
<SALES>                                      1,050,187
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,050,187
<CGS>                                          832,274
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  832,274
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               175,146
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,650
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,939
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,553
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,542
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,011
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,011
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.43