<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                          40,087
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  557,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,978
<INVENTORY>                                    996,668
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,623,003
<PP&E>                                         270,690
<DEPRECIATION>                                 196,037
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,071,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          431,055
<BONDS>                                         11,193
<COMMON>                                       122,733
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,436,693
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,071,945
<SALES>                                      1,281,230
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,281,230
<CGS>                                          898,676
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  898,676
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                113,546
<INCOME-TAX>                                    44,510
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             69,036
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    69,036
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56