<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
WATSCO, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         6,123
<SECURITIES>                                   1,138
<RECEIVABLES>                                  115,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                   5,620
<INVENTORY>                                    150,115
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               275,639
<PP&E>                                         45,372
<DEPRECIATION>                                 20,127
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 349,213
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          61,309
<BONDS>                                        68,338
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       8,634
<OTHER-SE>                                     204,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   349,213
<SALES>                                        272,898
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               293,685
<CGS>                                          211,125
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  227,344
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               50,290
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               798
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,567
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                14,150
<INCOME-TAX>                                   5,505
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            8,645
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   8,645
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.50