<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AVIALL,
INC.'S ANNUAL 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH ANNUAL 1997 FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           7,556
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,356
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,237
<INVENTORY>                                     73,414
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               153,511
<PP&E>                                          36,876
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,118
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 259,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,630
<BONDS>                                         28,004
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           199
<OTHER-SE>                                     127,162
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   259,392
<SALES>                                        386,060
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               386,060
<CGS>                                          288,863
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  288,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,201
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,520
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,096
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,424
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,673
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,097
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.45