<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, 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>                                          11,702
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,756
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,459
<INVENTORY>                                     33,982
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               129,051
<PP&E>                                          62,231
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,865
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 394,609
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,782
<BONDS>                                        134,033
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           175
<OTHER-SE>                                     210,542
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   394,609
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,166
<CGS>                                           75,704
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,704
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,620
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,649
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,971
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,971
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23