<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENUINE PARTS COMPANY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         113,232
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,033,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,342
<INVENTORY>                                  1,678,829
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,857,796
<PP&E>                                         416,900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 379,379
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,874,204
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          939,311
<BONDS>                                        666,104
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       179,036
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,950,200
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,874,204
<SALES>                                      3,924,251
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,924,251
<CGS>                                        2,783,304
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  845,194
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,276
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                295,753
<INCOME-TAX>                                   117,118
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            178,635
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   178,635
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .99