<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSCO, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 3,745 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 111,916 <ALLOWANCES> 5,104 <INVENTORY> 190,488 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 337,568 <PP&E> 38,450 <DEPRECIATION> 15,235 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 450,975 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 62,377 <BONDS> 2,365 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 8,810 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 222,219 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 450,975 <SALES> 172,716 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 172,716 <CGS> 132,315 <TOTAL-COSTS> 132,315 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 35,465 <LOSS-PROVISION> 395 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,722 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,819 <INCOME-TAX> 1,043 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,776 <DISCONTINUED> 149 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,925 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.10 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.10