<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