<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AUTOMOTIVE ONE PARTS STORES, INC. FOR THE TEN 
MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLAR
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   10-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              25
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      913
<ALLOWANCES>                                       210
<INVENTORY>                                      5,454
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,405
<PP&E>                                           6,104
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,904
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   9,956
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,898
<BONDS>                                          1,126
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            24
<OTHER-SE>                                         (92)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     9,956
<SALES>                                          9,207
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,207
<CGS>                                            5,727
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,727
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,289
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 639
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (448)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (448)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (448)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.19)