<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