<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          73,679
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  631,384
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,650
<INVENTORY>                                  1,120,315
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,846,326
<PP&E>                                         309,695
<DEPRECIATION>                                 217,065
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,364,674
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          541,542
<BONDS>                                         60,550
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       121,760
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,552,855
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,364,674
<SALES>                                      1,399,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,399,922
<CGS>                                          990,302
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  990,302
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                122,106
<INCOME-TAX>                                    48,232
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             73,874
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    73,874
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .61