<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KEVCO, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             799
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,107
<ALLOWANCES>                                       740
<INVENTORY>                                     95,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               157,688
<PP&E>                                          56,101
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,107
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 331,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,554
<BONDS>                                        105,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            69
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,818
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   331,835
<SALES>                                        897,450
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               904,847
<CGS>                                          781,339
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  881,282
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,577)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,143
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,999
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,132
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,867
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,867
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27