<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          76,003
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  680,676
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,951
<INVENTORY>                                  1,236,686
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,010,970
<PP&E>                                         351,175
<DEPRECIATION>                                 242,787
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,597,831
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          612,830
<BONDS>                                        110,287
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,016
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,582,034
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,597,831
<SALES>                                      1,457,646
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,457,646
<CGS>                                        1,028,379
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  302,705
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                126,562
<INCOME-TAX>                                    49,967
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             76,595
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    76,595
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43