<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION GROUP, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                           YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997                    DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997                    JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997                    DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          31,382                          1,407
<SECURITIES>                                         0                            948
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,240                          4,098
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (846)                          (125)
<INVENTORY>                                     36,784                          4,455
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,127                         11,201
<PP&E>                                          11,088                          2,520
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (2,264)                        (1,406)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,643                         12,948
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,496                          4,206
<BONDS>                                              0                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                              0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                              0
<COMMON>                                            73                              9
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,456                          7,160
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,643                         12,948
<SALES>                                        105,919                         29,083
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               105,919                         29,083
<CGS>                                           80,162                         21,625
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,321                         27,683
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (525)                          (244)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 398                            213
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,725                          1,431
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,316                            440
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,409                            991
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                              0
<CHANGES>                                            0                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,409                            991
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.91                           1.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.91                           1.14


</TABLE>