<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WATSCO,
INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                        MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                    6,133
<SECURITIES>                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                           154,663
<ALLOWANCES>                              6,230
<INVENTORY>                             236,661
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                        421,797
<PP&E>                                   58,111
<DEPRECIATION>                           27,305
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          593,875
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    88,187
<BONDS>                                 220,436
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         0
<PREFERRED>                                   0
<COMMON>                                 14,330
<OTHER-SE>                              268,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            593,875
<SALES>                                 247,377
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        247,377
<CGS>                                   189,190
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           189,190
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         50,365
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            911
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                        3,179
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           3,732
<INCOME-TAX>                              1,389
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       2,343
<DISCONTINUED>                              104
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               0
<CHANGES>                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                              2,447
<EPS-PRIMARY>                              0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                              0.08