<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                          82,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  487,395
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,004,580
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,595,781
<PP&E>                                         258,032
<DEPRECIATION>                                 192,081
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,029,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          422,408
<BONDS>                                         11,431
<COMMON>                                       122,627
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,403,538
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,029,471
<SALES>                                      4,858,415
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,858,415
<CGS>                                        3,343,699
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,343,699
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                474,868
<INCOME-TAX>                                   186,320
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            288,548
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   288,548
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.33