<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVIALL,
INC.'S THIRD QUARTER 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH THIRD QUARTER 1996 FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           7,082
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,655
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,142
<INVENTORY>                                     72,190
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               153,112
<PP&E>                                          40,863
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,285
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 267,172
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,215
<BONDS>                                         55,239
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           195
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,154
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   267,172
<SALES>                                        284,399
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               284,399
<CGS>                                          211,605
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  211,605
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,656
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,526)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,657
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,183)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  16,946
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,421)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,342
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0