<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
         EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSCO, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
         ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
         SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998

<CASH>                                               6,738
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      159,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                         5,728
<INVENTORY>                                        201,138
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   382,884
<PP&E>                                              45,055
<DEPRECIATION>                                      19,344
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     520,961
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              100,545
<BONDS>                                            173,277
<COMMON>                                             8,942
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<OTHER-SE>                                         234,774
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       520,961
<SALES>                                            443,569
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   443,569
<CGS>                                              343,194
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      343,194
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    77,868
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     1,252
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   4,436
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     16,819
<INCOME-TAX>                                         6,223
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 10,596
<DISCONTINUED>                                        (689)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         9,907
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.53