<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, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         148,797
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  990,153
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,447
<INVENTORY>                                  1,680,375
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,858,710
<PP&E>                                         416,814
<DEPRECIATION>                                 378,791
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,867,903
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          974,469
<BONDS>                                        672,070
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,063
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,899,768
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,867,903
<SALES>                                      1,901,357
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,901,357
<CGS>                                        1,350,467
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  408,396
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,443
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                142,494
<INCOME-TAX>                                    56,428
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             86,066
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    86,066
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48