<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1995
<CASH>                                          32,705
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  569,211
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,839
<INVENTORY>                                  1,025,776
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,659,623
<PP&E>                                         278,109
<DEPRECIATION>                                 200,491
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,129,501
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          450,478
<BONDS>                                         11,184
<COMMON>                                       122,770
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,474,017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,129,501
<SALES>                                      2,589,942
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,589,942
<CGS>                                        1,816,432
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,816,432
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                237,195
<INCOME-TAX>                                    93,228
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            143,967
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   143,967
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.17