EXHIBIT 10.17


                                PROMISSORY NOTE


Dallas, Texas                   $15,000,000.00                    March 12, 1998


     CompUSA Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), for value 
received, promises to pay to the order of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK 
("Lender"), at the principal office of NationsBank of Texas, N.A., in lawful 
money of the United States of America, the principal sum of FIFTEEN MILLION 
AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($15,000,000.00), or such lesser sum as shall be due and 
payable from time to time hereunder, as hereinafter provided.  All terms used 
but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit 
Agreement described below.

     Principal of and interest on the unpaid principal balance of Advances 
under this Note from time to time outstanding shall be due and payable as set 
forth in the Credit Agreement.

     This Note is issued pursuant to and evidences Advances under a Second 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 1998, among the 
Borrower, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Lender, certain 
Co-Agents and the lenders parties thereto (as amended, restated, 
supplemented, renewed, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, 
"Credit Agreement"), to which reference is made for a statement of the rights 
and obligations of the Lender and the duties and obligations of the Borrower 
in relation thereto; but neither this reference to the Credit Agreement nor 
any provision thereof shall affect or impair the absolute and unconditional 
obligation of the Borrower to pay the principal sum of and interest on this 
Note when due.

     The Borrower and all endorsers, sureties and guarantors of this Note 
(without waiving any notice that any Lender is specifically required to give 
pursuant to SECTION 8.1 of the Credit Agreement) hereby severally waive 
demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of 
intention to accelerate the maturity of this Note, notice of acceleration of 
this Note, diligence in collecting, the bringing of any suit against any 
party and any notice of or defense on account of any extensions, renewals, 
partial payments or changes in any manner of or in this Note or in any of its 
terms, provisions and covenants, or any releases or substitutions of any 
security, or any delay, indulgence or other act of any trustee or any holder 
hereof, whether before or after maturity.

     THIS NOTE, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL 
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT 



BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL 
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS 
BETWEEN THE PARTIES.


                                       CompUSA Inc.


                                       By: /s/ Robert Gary
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Robert Gary
                                           Title: Vice President-Finance


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