<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, 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>                                          21,678
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,691
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,362
<INVENTORY>                                     20,287
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,480
<PP&E>                                          37,719
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,685
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 235,838
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           29,602
<BONDS>                                         46,771
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           159
<OTHER-SE>                                     157,525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   235,838
<SALES>                                         68,660
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,660
<CGS>                                           45,158
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,158
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 260
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,281
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,164
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,117
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,117
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20