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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.4
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 (Nos. 2-78323, 33-9082, 33-26468, 33-33701 and 333-19007) and Form
S-3 (No. 333-15675) of Coopers & Lybrand's report dated March 17, 1994, on
Coopers & Lybrand's audit of the consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows of Hughes Supply, Inc. and subsidiaries for
the fiscal year ended January 28, 1994, which report is incorporated by
reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 26, 1996.
 
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Orlando, Florida
February 12, 1997