<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVIALL,
INC'S SECOND QUARTER 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH SECOND QUARTER 1996 FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           3,680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,659
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,429
<INVENTORY>                                     77,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               199,295
<PP&E>                                          44,111
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,023
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 317,733
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          200,504
<BONDS>                                          2,367
<COMMON>                                           195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      89,263
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   317,733
<SALES>                                        185,762
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,762
<CGS>                                          137,395
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  137,395
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,153
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,309)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       447
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,756)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  10,500
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,744
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0