<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SERVICE EXPERTS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS 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>                                          33,155
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,785
<ALLOWANCES>                                       632
<INVENTORY>                                      6,266
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,951
<PP&E>                                          13,587
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,571
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 125,592
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,117
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           137
<OTHER-SE>                                     104,618
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   125,592
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,355
<CGS>                                           20,913
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,548
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  87
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,947
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,120
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,827
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,827
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15