<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                          29,923
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  581,037
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,655
<INVENTORY>                                  1,050,025
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,696,075
<PP&E>                                         295,095
<DEPRECIATION>                                 206,245
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,181,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          456,731
<BONDS>                                         10,875
<COMMON>                                       122,835
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,519,079
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,181,626
<SALES>                                      3,952,423
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,952,423
<CGS>                                        2,770,418
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,770,418
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                364,388
<INCOME-TAX>                                   143,469
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            220,919
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   220,919
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.80