<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