<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          98,810
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  746,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,404
<INVENTORY>                                  1,315,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,190,440
<PP&E>                                         372,846
<DEPRECIATION>                                 269,092
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,852,014
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          612,153
<BONDS>                                        209,440
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       178,981
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,713,925
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,852,014
<SALES>                                      1,533,138
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,533,138
<CGS>                                        1,086,402
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  314,508
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                132,228
<INCOME-TAX>                                    52,230
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             79,998
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    79,998
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45