<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSCO, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 37,281 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 48,956 <ALLOWANCES> 3,303 <INVENTORY> 70,619 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 159,054 <PP&E> 23,515 <DEPRECIATION> 11,753 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 197,271 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 83,719 <BONDS> 6,211 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 4,495 <OTHER-SE> 99,868 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 197,271 <SALES> 70,675 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 77,789 <CGS> 54,671 <TOTAL-COSTS> 60,154 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14,146 <LOSS-PROVISION> 220 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,045 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,293 <INCOME-TAX> 871 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,306 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,306 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> .17