<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVIALL,
INC.'S THIRD QUARTER 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH THIRD QUARTER 1997 FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,521
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,486
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,934
<INVENTORY>                                     73,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               150,388
<PP&E>                                          36,308
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,018
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 254,797
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,919
<BONDS>                                         31,307
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           198
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,097
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   254,797
<SALES>                                        288,012
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               288,012
<CGS>                                          215,807
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  215,807
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,477
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,129
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,023
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,106
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,106
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0