<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSCO, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <CASH> 3,936 <SECURITIES> 1,124 <RECEIVABLES> 86,147 <ALLOWANCES> 4,920 <INVENTORY> 133,808 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 227,683 <PP&E> 36,107 <DEPRECIATION> 17,026 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 288,250 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 44,561 <BONDS> 31,517 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 8,598 <OTHER-SE> 198,224 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 288,250 <SALES> 101,745 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 111,312 <CGS> 77,851 <TOTAL-COSTS> 85,286 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,601 <LOSS-PROVISION> 149 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 778 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,711 <INCOME-TAX> 1,429 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,282 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,282 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.14 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.14