<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          75,081
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  691,638
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,453
<INVENTORY>                                  1,232,656
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,018,897
<PP&E>                                         358,549
<DEPRECIATION>                                 251,929
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,616,468
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          591,082
<BONDS>                                        110,276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,090
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,621,096
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,616,468
<SALES>                                      2,968,102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,968,102
<CGS>                                        2,093,715
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  609,410
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                264,977
<INCOME-TAX>                                   104,641
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            160,336
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   160,336
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .89