WATSCO INC
S-3, 1997-01-15
HARDWARE & PLUMBING & HEATING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 15, 1997
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                    UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             -----------------------

                                 WATSCO, INC.

            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                             -----------------------
            FLORIDA                                            59-0778222

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                              IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                             -----------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  <S>                                          <C>

                                                            RONALD P. NEWMAN
                                                         CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

          2665 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE                           WATSCO, INC.
                   SUITE 901                            2665 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE
         COCONUT GROVE, FLORIDA 33133                           SUITE 901
                (305) 858-0828                        COCONUT GROVE, FLORIDA 33133
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE                (305) 858-0828
                    NUMBER                       (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND
     INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S                   TELEPHONE NUMBER
         PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)          INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                             ---------------------

                               COPIES OF COMMUNICATION TO:

       BRUCE E. MACDONOUGH, ESQUIRE                       E. WILLIAM BATES, II, ESQUIRE
       GREENBERG, TRAURIG, HOFFMAN,                              KING & SPALDING
       LIPOFF, ROSEN & QUENTEL, P.A.                     120 WEST 45TH STREET, 32ND FLOOR
           1221 BRICKELL AVENUE                              NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
           MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131                                   (212) 556-2100

              (305) 579-0500

</TABLE>

                             ----------------------

       APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon
 as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

   If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]

   If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
investment plans, check the following box: [ ]

   If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: [ ]

   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: [ ]

   If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]
<PAGE>

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=========================================================================================================================
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>                   <C>                          <C>
                                                          PROPOSED              PROPOSED

                                       AMOUNT              MAXIMUM               MAXIMUM                      AMOUNT OF

TITLE OF EACH CLASS                    TO BE            OFFERING PRICE          AGGREGATE                    REGISTRATION
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED      REGISTERED(1)        PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(1)(2)                 FEE

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock,                            3,450,000         $25.88                $89,286,000                  $30,789
  $.50 par value per share                shares
=========================================================================================================================

(1) Includes 450,000 shares which the Underwriters may purchase pursuant to an
    over-allotment option.

(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933.

                              --------------------
</TABLE>

   THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 15, 1997

                               3,000,000 SHARES

                                 WATSCO, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (PAR VALUE $.50 PER SHARE)

                            -----------------------

   All of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by
the Company.

   The Company has two classes of common stock: Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock. The Common Stock is substantially identical to the Company's Class B
Common Stock except with respect to voting power, with the Common Stock having
one vote per share and the Class B Common Stock having ten votes per share. The
holders of Common Stock are currently entitled to vote as a separate class to
elect 25% of the Board of Directors.

   The Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange under the symbols "WSO" and "WSOB,"
respectively. On January 13, 1997, the last reported sale prices of the Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange and the American
Stock Exchange were $25.875 and $25.50 per share, respectively.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
       REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   INITIAL PUBLIC       UNDERWRITING       PROCEEDS TO
                   OFFERING PRICE       DISCOUNT(1)         COMPANY(2)

                ------------------- -----------------  ----------------
Per Share ....           $                   $                  $
Total(3) .....           $                   $                  $
- ------------------

(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against
    certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
    1933. See "Underwriting."

(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of approximately $350,000 payable by
    the Company.

(3) The Company has granted the several Underwriters an option for 30 days to
    purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares at the initial public
    offering price per share, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover
    over-allotments. If such option is exercised in full, the total initial
    public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds to Company will
    be $          , $          and $          , respectively. See
    "Underwriting."

                              -------------------

   The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that certificates
for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about ,
1997.

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

              PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
                                            SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                                           ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO.
                                                                  INCORPORATED

                               -----------------

               The date of this Prospectus is          , 1997.

<PAGE>
WATSCO Map of the United States color coded for air conditioning usage (in
hours) per year according to Consumer Reports and the Company's distribution
locations and the distribution locations of the Proposed Acquisitions.


AIR CONDITIONING
USAGE HOURS/YEAR

/box/        0 - 500
/box/      500 - 1000
/box/     1000 - 1500
/box/     1500 - 2000
SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS

                                   /circle/ 101 WATSCO DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

                                  /circle/ 33 ADDITIONAL BRANCHES PENDING
                       COMPLETION OF ANNOUNCED AQUISITIONS

   This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding, among other items, (i) the
Company's business and acquisition strategies, (ii) potential acquisitions by
the Company, (iii) the use of the proceeds of the offering, (iv) the Company's
financing plans, and (v) industry, demographic and other trends affecting the
Company's financial condition or results of operations. These forward-looking
statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's
control. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking
statements as a result of the factors described in this Prospectus, including
general economic conditions, prevailing interest rates, competitive factors and
the ability of the Company to continue to implement its acquisition strategy. In
light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the
forward-looking information contained in this Prospectus will in fact transpire.
See "Prospectus Summary," "Business--Business and Acquisition Strategy" and
"--Proposed Acquisitions," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Use of Proceeds."

   IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
AND/OR CLASS B COMMON STOCK AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL
IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK
EXCHANGE, THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                2

<PAGE>

                              PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES APPEARING OR INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE
INFORMATION APPEARING IN THIS PROSPECTUS (I) HAS BEEN ADJUSTED TO REFLECT
THREE-FOR-TWO STOCK SPLITS EFFECTED IN MAY 1995 AND JUNE 1996, AND (II) ASSUMES
THAT THE UNDERWRITERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION WILL NOT BE EXERCISED.

                                 THE COMPANY

   Watsco, Inc. ("Watsco" or the "Company") is the largest distributor of
residential central air conditioners in the United States, with leading
positions in Florida, Texas and California, the three largest air conditioning
markets in the country, as well as other large markets in the U.S. sunbelt. In
1989, the Company embarked on a strategy of establishing a network of
distribution facilities across the sunbelt where U.S. population growth is
greatest, weather patterns are predictably hot and air conditioning is seen as a
necessity. Since initiating this strategy, the Company's revenues have increased
from $25 million in 1988 to $331 million in 1995 and earnings per share have
increased at a compound annual growth rate of 22%. Total revenues and earnings
per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased 29% and 33%,
respectively, over the comparable period in 1995. Since 1989, Watsco has
acquired 11 air conditioning distributors and believes it is the only company
pursuing a consolidation strategy by making significant acquisitions in the
highly fragmented air conditioning distribution industry. The Company estimates
there are approximately 600 air conditioning distributors in the sunbelt. All of
the Company's significant acquisitions have to date been accretive to earnings
per share. In addition, the Company achieved internal sales growth of 8% and 9%
for 1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively.

   The Company estimates that the market for residential central air
conditioners and related supplies in the sunbelt was over $7 billion in 1995 and
has grown at an annual rate of 6.3% since 1990. The replacement market has
increased substantially in size over the past ten years, surpassing the
homebuilding market in significance as a result of the aging of the installed
base of residential central air conditioners, the introduction of new energy
efficient models and the upgrading of existing homes to central air
conditioning. According to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
("ARI"), over 66 million central air conditioner units have been installed in
the United States since 1975. Management believes that approximately 60% of
these units were installed in the sunbelt. Many of the units installed from the
mid-1970s to the mid-1980s are reaching the end of their useful lives, thus
providing a growing replacement market. The Company also sells to the
homebuilding market and is well positioned to benefit from increases in housing
starts.

   The Company focuses on satisfying the needs of the higher margin replacement
market, where customers generally demand immediate, convenient and reliable
service. The Company believes that its size and financial resources allow it to
provide superior customer service by offering a complete product line of
equipment, parts and supplies, well-stocked inventories and multiple warehouse
locations in metropolitan markets. The Company sells its products from 101
branch warehouses to over 28,000 air conditioning and heating contractors and
dealers. The Company also produces over 4,000 electronic and mechanical
components for air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment that are
sold to over 5,000 wholesale distributors and original equipment manufacturers
("OEMs").

   The Company's consolidation strategy has resulted in a number of completed
and proposed acquisitions in recent periods. In 1995, Watsco acquired four
distributors which reported aggregate prior year revenues of approximately $47
million. In 1996, Watsco acquired three distributors, which reported aggregate
prior year revenues of approximately $66 million. The Company recently entered
into letters of intent for proposed acquisitions (the "Proposed Acquisitions")
with Inter-City Products Corporation (USA) ("Inter-City") and Carrier
Corporation ("Carrier"). In November 1996, the Company announced that it had
entered into a letter of intent with Inter-City to acquire 25 factory
distribution branches that are located primarily in southeast markets and
expected to report aggregate 1996 revenues of approximately $93 million. In
December 1996, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent
with Carrier to acquire the net assets and business of two distribution

                                3

<PAGE>

operations with eight branches that are located in midwest markets and are
expected to report aggregate 1996 revenues of approximately $65 million. The
Proposed Acquisitions are subject to various conditions, including the
negotiation of definitive asset purchase agreements. Accordingly, there can be
no assurance that either of such Proposed Acquisitions will be consummated. The
Proposed Acquisitions are not contingent upon the completion of this offering.
For additional information regarding the Proposed Acquisitions, see
"Business--Proposed Acquisitions."

   The Company also owns Dunhill Staffing Systems, Inc. ("Dunhill"), a
well-known provider of permanent and temporary personnel services to business,
professional and service organizations, government agencies, health care
providers, and other employers. As of December 31, 1996, Dunhill had 135
franchisees and licensees and 14 Company-owned offices in 40 states, Puerto Rico
and Canada and accounted in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 for
approximately 8% of the Company's revenues.

   The Company's principal executive offices are located at 2665 South Bayshore
Drive, Suite 901, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 and its telephone is (305)
858-0828. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Watsco" and the
"Company" as used in this Prospectus refer to Watsco, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

                          DEPENDENCE ON KEY SUPPLIER

   The Company's primary source for air conditioners is Rheem Manufacturing
Company ("Rheem"), the third largest manufacturer of residential central air
conditioners in the United States. Because approximately 58% of the aggregate
purchases of the Company's distribution subsidiaries for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are manufactured by Rheem, the Company is presently dependent
on the acceptance of Rheem products. However, the Company believes that if Rheem
products are not available, it will be able to sell other manufacturers'
products. In addition, management believes that consummation of the Proposed
Acquisitions with Inter-City and Carrier will decrease the Company's dependence
on Rheem. See "Business--Distribution Operations" and "Relationship with Rheem
Manufacturing Company."

                       CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER

   Upon the completion of this offering, Albert H. Nahmad, the Company's
Chairman and President, and a limited partnership controlled by him,
collectively will retain beneficial ownership of approximately 3% of the Common
Stock and 69% of the Class B Common Stock and will have approximately 40% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
As a result, Mr. Nahmad will continue to have the voting power to elect all but
three members of the Company's nine-person Board of Directors. See "Management."

                                 THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                      <C>
Common Stock offered ...................................3,000,000 shares

Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering(1):

  Common Stock ......................................... 14,860,630 shares
  Class B Common Stock ................................. 2,179,699 shares

    Total .............................................. 17,040,329 shares

                                                         
Use of proceeds ........................................ To fund acquisitions 
                                                         and repay indebtedness.
Common Stock--New York Stock Exchange Symbol  .......... WSO

</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) Excludes 850,821 shares of Common Stock and 652,212 shares of Class B Common
    Stock subject to outstanding options as of January 7, 1997.

                                4

<PAGE>

                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED

                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       SEPTEMBER 30,
                          ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------
                              1991       1992         1993        1994         1995      1995         1996
                          ----------- -----------  ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------  -----------
<S>                       <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Total revenues ........    $169,318     $194,633     $230,656     $283,731      $331,008     $250,190     $321,624
 Gross profit(1) .......      40,906       45,559       51,930       63,212        73,298       56,547       72,182
 Operating income ......       8,576        9,930       11,390       15,043        18,010       15,527       19,700
 Net income ............       1,990        2,918        5,041(2)     5,762         7,250        6,033       10,564
 Earnings per share:  ..

     Primary ...........        $.33         $.47         $.56(2)      $.59          $.72         $.61         $.78
  Fully diluted(3)  ....         .32          .42          .54(2)       .58           .69          .58          .77
 Supplemental earnings
   per share:

     Primary ...........                                  $.48(2)
     Fully diluted(3)  ....                                .47(2)
 Weighted average shares outstanding:

     Primary ...........       5,981        6,239        8,803        9,489         9,873        9,762       13,363
  Fully diluted(3)  ....       7,393        7,637        9,509        9,969        10,456       10,395       13,759
</TABLE>

                                                          SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

                                                     ---------------------------
                                                                        AS
                                                        ACTUAL      ADJUSTED(4)

                                                     ------------ --------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 Total assets .....................................    $205,890      $250,690
 Long-term obligations ............................      50,888        22,288
 Shareholders' equity  ............................     115,672       189,072
- ----------------

(1) Total revenues less cost of sales and direct service expenses.

(2) Historical net income and earnings per share information includes the effect
    of a non-recurring receipt of insurance proceeds, which increased net income
    by $706,000. Supplemental earnings per share excluding this item was $.48
    and $.47 for primary and fully diluted earnings per share, respectively.

(3) Calculated assuming conversion of the Company's convertible debentures that
    were outstanding prior to September 1996.

(4) Adjusted to give effect to the sale by the Company of the 3,000,000
    shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an estimated initial public
    offering price of $25.875 per share, after deducting the estimated
    underwriting discount and expenses of the offering and applying the
    estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and
    "Capitalization."

                                5

<PAGE>

                               USE OF PROCEEDS

   The net proceeds from the sale of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock
offered by the Company are estimated to be approximately $73.4 million ($84.5
million if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) at an
estimated initial public offering price of $25.875 per share and after deducting
the estimated underwriting discount and expenses of the offering. The Company
anticipates using the net proceeds to fund the Proposed Acquisitions and repay a
portion of the Company's outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit
facility.

   The Company intends to use approximately $44.8 million of the net proceeds of
this offering to fund its contemplated purchases of additional wholesale
distribution facilities from Carrier and Inter-City. See "Business--Proposed
Acquisitions." Neither of such Proposed Acquisitions is contingent upon the
completion of this offering.

   The approximately $28.6 million of remaining net proceeds of this offering
will be used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Company's revolving
credit agreement. Such borrowings bear interest at primarily LIBOR-based rates
plus a spread that is dependent upon the Company's financial performance (30-day
LIBOR plus .375% at December 31, 1996) and mature September 2001. At December
31, 1996, the Company had approximately $48 million of outstanding borrowings
under its revolving credit agreement.

   If either or both of such Proposed Acquisitions are not consummated, the
Company anticipates using the remaining proceeds to repay any remaining amounts
of outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit agreement and for working
capital and other general corporate purposes, including other possible
acquisitions.

   The Company continually evaluates potential acquisitions and has had
discussions with a number of potential acquisition candidates; however, the
Company has no agreement with respect to any potential acquisition other than
the letters of intent with respect to the Proposed Acquisitions from Carrier and
Inter-City. Should suitable acquisitions or working capital needs arise that
would require additional financing, the Company believes that its financial
position and earnings history should permit it to obtain additional financing at
competitive rates and terms. Pending application of the net proceeds as
described above, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds in short-term
investment grade or U.S. government interest bearing securities.

                                6

<PAGE>

                                 CAPITALIZATION

   The following table sets forth the total capitalization of the Company as of
September 30, 1996 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the 3,000,000
shares of Common Stock offered hereby by the Company at an assumed initial
offering price of $25.875 per share, after deducting the estimated underwriting
discount and expenses of the offering and applying the estimated net proceeds
therefrom as set forth in "Use of Proceeds," including the assumed consummation
of the Proposed Acquisitions as of September 30, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

                                                                      ---------------------------
                                                                         ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED

                                                                      ----------- --------------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)

<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>
Long-term obligations:

  Borrowings under revolving credit agreement ......................    $ 49,000      $ 20,400
  Bank and other debt ..............................................       1,888         1,888
                                                                      -----------  -------------
    Total long-term obligations ....................................      50,888        22,288
Shareholders' equity(1): ...........................................
  Common Stock, $.50 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized;
    11,546,848 issued and outstanding; 14,546,848 issued and
    outstanding as adjusted ........................................       5,773         7,273
  Class B Common Stock, $.50 par value, 4,000,000 shares
    authorized; 2,351,025 issued and outstanding ...................       1,176         1,176
  Paid-in capital ..................................................      69,930       141,830
  Retained earnings ................................................      38,793        38,793
                                                                      ----------- --------------
   Total shareholders' equity ......................................     115,672       189,072
                                                                      ----------- --------------
    Total capitalization ...........................................    $166,560      $211,360
                                                                      =========== ==============
</TABLE>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Does not include 828,721 shares of Common Stock and 652,212 shares of Class
    B Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

                                7

<PAGE>

                         PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

   The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "WSO." The Company's Class B Common Stock is listed on the American Stock
Exchange under the symbol "WSOB."

   The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of the Common
Stock and the Class B Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange
and the American Stock Exchange, respectively. Stock prices have been adjusted
for the three-for-two stock splits effected by the Company in May 1995 and June
1996 and are rounded to the nearest eighth.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           CLASS B

                                                   COMMON STOCK         COMMON STOCK
                                               -------------------  -------------------
                                                  HIGH       LOW       HIGH       LOW
                                               --------- --------  --------- --------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1995
  First Quarter .............................   $ 8        $ 7       $ 7 3/4    $ 7
  Second Quarter ............................     9 1/8      7 7/8     9          7 3/4
  Third Quarter .............................    11 5/8      8 7/8     11 1/8     9
  Fourth Quarter ............................    11 7/8     10 7/8     11 5/8    10 5/8
1996
  First Quarter .............................    17 3/8     11 1/4     16 7/8    11
  Second Quarter ............................    21         17 1/8     20 1/4    17 7/8
  Third Quarter .............................    22 1/4     16 1/8     21 7/8    15 3/4
  Fourth Quarter ............................    29 1/8     18 3/8     29 1/2    18 7/8
1997
  First Quarter (through January 13, 1997) ..    29         25 3/4    28 5/8     25 1/2
</TABLE>

   On January 13, 1997, the last reported sale prices for each of the Common
Stock and the Class B Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange and the
American Stock Exchange were $25.875 and $25.50 per share, respectively.

                                8
<PAGE>
                           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

   The following selected financial data as of and for each of the years ended
December 31, 1991 through 1995 have been derived from the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements, which have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent certified public accountants. The selected financial data as of
September 30, 1996 and for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
have been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company. In the Company's opinion, such consolidated financial statements
reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of
operations for such periods. The results of operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be
expected for the full year. The selected financial data should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes
thereto incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, as well as "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------
                                          1991         1992         1993         1994          1995         1995         1996
                                      ----------- -----------    ----------- -----------    -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                   <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Total revenues ....................    $169,318     $194,633     $230,656     $283,731      $331,008     $250,190     $321,624
 Gross profit(1) ...................      40,906       45,559       51,930       63,212        73,298       56,547       72,182
 Operating income ..................       8,576        9,930       11,390       15,043        18,010       15,527       19,700
 Interest expense ..................      (4,059)      (3,197)      (2,756)      (3,155)       (4,221)      (3,064)      (2,966)
 Insurance proceeds ................          --          --       1,130           --           --          --          --
 Income taxes ......................      (1,973)      (2,746)      (3,819)      (4,630)       (5,234)      (4,867)      (6,601)
 Minority interests(2) .............      (1,010)      (1,470)      (1,287)      (1,636)       (1,586)      (1,744)        (116)
 Net income ........................       1,990        2,918        5,041 (3)    5,762         7,250        6,033       10,564
 Earnings per share:

     Primary .......................        $.33         $.47         $.56 (3)     $.59          $.72         $.61         $.78
  Fully diluted(4) .................         .32          .42          .54 (3)      .58           .69          .58          .77
 Weighted average shares ...........
     outstanding:

     Primary .......................       5,981        6,239        8,803        9,489         9,873        9,762       13,363
  Fully diluted(4) .................       7,393        7,637        9,509        9,969        10,456       10,395       13,759
 Cash dividends declared per share:

     Common Stock ..................        $.15         $.10         $.11         $.11          $.13         $.09         $.10
  Class B Common Stock .............         .13          .10          .11          .11           .13          .09          .10
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------------------------------------------------     SEPTEMBER 30,
                             1991        1992         1993        1994        1995           1996
                          ---------- ----------    ----------  ----------  ----------    -------------
<S>                       <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital .......    $23,763     $27,800     $ 39,262    $ 40,095    $ 41,169       $127,751
 Total assets ..........     81,767      81,138      109,685     119,664     144,884        205,890
 Long-term obligations       14,830      13,539        7,848       6,724       6,318         50,888
 Minority interests  ...      7,373       8,229       11,553      11,857      12,622             --
 Shareholders' equity  .     20,832      25,272       41,754      46,816      53,756        115,672
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Total revenues less cost of sales and direct service expenses.

(2) Represents the pro rata share of earnings allocated to Rheem as a
    result of its 20% ownership interests in Gemaire and Comfort Supply and
    50% common equity ownership interest (49.5% prior to January 1, 1992) in
    Heating & Cooling Supply, Inc. Effective March 1996, the Company
    acquired these minority interests in exchange for 1,446,542 shares of
    Common Stock. 

(3) Includes the effect of a non-recurring receipt of insurance proceeds, which
    increased net income by $706,000. Excluding this item, primary and fully
    diluted earnings per share would have been $.49 and $.47, respectively.

(4) Calculated assuming conversion of the Company's convertible debentures that
    were outstanding prior to September 1996.

                                9

<PAGE>

                   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

   From its inception through 1988, Watsco was primarily a manufacturer of
replacement parts for air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment.
Since that time, the Company has significantly increased its size and market
presence in the climate control industry through a number of acquisitions.

   In January 1989, the Company and Rheem acquired 80% and 20%, respectively, of
the capital stock of Gemaire Distributors, Inc. ("Gemaire"), a distributor of
residential central air conditioners in Florida, for an aggregate purchase price
of approximately $17.1 million. In October 1990, the Company and Rheem each
acquired 50% of the common stock of Heating & Cooling Supply, Inc. ("Heating &
Cooling"), a distributor of residential central air conditioners in southern
California and Arizona, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $31.5
million. In April 1993, the Company and Rheem acquired 80% and 20%,
respectively, of the capital stock of Comfort Supply, Inc. ("Comfort Supply"), a
distributor of residential central air conditioners in Texas, for an aggregate
purchase price of approximately $4.0 million.

   In March 1995, Gemaire purchased the operating assets and assumed certain
liabilities of H.B. Adams, Inc., a wholesale distributor of air conditioning,
heating and refrigeration products located in Tampa, Florida, for approximately
$7.8 million. In October 1995, the Company purchased the operating assets and
assumed certain liabilities of Central Air Conditioning Distributors, Inc.
("Central Air Conditioning"), a North Carolina-based distributor of air
conditioning, heating and refrigeration products, for approximately $9.0
million.

   In April 1996, the Company purchased the operating assets and assumed certain
liabilities of Three States Supply Co., Inc. ("Three States"), a Tennessee-based
wholesale distributor of air conditioning, heating and building supplies, for
approximately $14 million. Other smaller acquisitions have been made over the
past three years to gain market share and to enter into new market areas,
including the Company's 1996 acquisitions of the capital stock of Serviceman
Supplies, Inc. ("Serviceman") and Coastal Supply Company, Inc. ("Coastal"). See
"Business--Business and Acquisition Strategy." In addition, in March 1996, the
Company acquired Rheem's minority common equity interests in Gemaire, Heating &
Cooling and Comfort Supply in exchange for 1,446,542 shares of Common Stock.

   The Company's acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting and, accordingly, the result of their operations have been
included in the Company's consolidated results beginning on their respective
dates of acquisition. As a result of the significant impact of the Company's
acquisitions, the Company's results of operations are not necessarily comparable
on a period-to-period basis.

   The Company operates principally in two industry segments: the climate
control segment and the personnel services segment. The climate control segment
includes the Company's distribution and manufacturing subsidiaries.

                               10

<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   The following table presents certain items of the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and for the
nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, expressed as a percentage of
total revenues:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    YEAR ENDED         NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   DECEMBER 31,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               --------------------  --------------------
                                                  1994       1995       1995       1996
                                               --------- ---------  --------- ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Total revenues ..............................    100.0%     100.0%      100.0%     100.0%
Cost of sales and direct service expenses  ..     77.7       77.9        77.4       77.6
                                               --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
  Gross profit ..............................     22.3       22.1        22.6       22.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses      17.0       16.7        16.4       16.3
                                               --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
  Operating income ..........................      5.3        5.4         6.2        6.1
Investment income, net ......................       --        .1          .1         .2
Interest expense ............................      1.1        1.2         1.2         .9
Income taxes ................................      1.6        1.6         2.0        2.1
Minority interests ..........................       .6         .5          .7         --
                                               --------- ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income ................................      2.0%       2.2%        2.4%       3.3%
                                               ========= =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>

COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 WITH NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

   Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased $71.4
million, or 29%, compared to the same period in 1995. In the climate control
segment, revenues increased $70.4 million, or 31%. Excluding the effect of
acquisitions, revenues for the climate control segment increased $20.6 million,
or 9%. Such increase was primarily due to strong replacement sales and increased
homebuilding activity.

   Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased $15.6
million, or 28%, compared to the same period in 1995. Excluding the effect of
acquisitions, gross profit increased $2.9 million, or 5%, primarily as a result
of the aforementioned revenue increases. Gross profit margin for the nine-month
period decreased to 22.4% in 1996 from 22.6% in 1995 and, excluding the effect
of acquisitions, decreased to 21.9% in 1996 from 22.6% in 1995. These margin
decreases were primarily due to certain vendor price increases in late 1995,
which the Company did not begin passing on to customers until late in the first
quarter of 1996, and additional price increases in mid-1996, which were not
fully passed on to customers in the second and third quarters.

   Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 increased $11.5 million, or 28%, compared to the same period
in 1995, primarily due to selling and delivery costs related to increased sales.
Excluding the effect of acquisitions, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $2.9 million, or 7%, primarily due to sales volume increases.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues decreased
to 16.3% in 1996 from 16.4% in 1995 and, excluding the effect of acquisitions,
decreased to 16.2% in 1996 from 16.4% in 1995. These decreases were primarily
the result of a larger revenue base over which to spread fixed costs.

   Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 decreased
$98,000, or 3%, compared to the same period in 1995 and, excluding the effect of
acquisitions, decreased $616,000, or 20%. These decreases were primarily due to
lower average interest rates on borrowings.

   Minority interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
decreased $1.6 million compared to the same period in 1995. This decrease was
due to the Company's acquisition of minority common equity interests in its
distribution subsidiaries in March 1996.

                               11

<PAGE>

   The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was 38.2%
compared to 38.5% for the same period in 1995. The decrease was primarily the
result of tax planning strategies which were implemented during 1996.

COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

   Revenues in 1995 increased $47.3 million, or 17%, over 1994. The distribution
subsidiaries' revenues increased $46.4 million, or 20%. Excluding the effect of
acquisitions, revenues for the distribution subsidiaries increased $18.8
million, or 8%. This increase in sales was mainly due to increased sales of
replacement air conditioners in Florida and Texas. Revenues in the Company's
manufacturing operations decreased $874,000, or 4%, primarily due to lower sales
to OEMs caused by higher levels of inventory held by distributors during the
year. Revenues in the personnel services operations increased $1.8 million, or
6%, reflecting higher demand for temporary help services and greater customer
acceptance of new product offerings such as professional staffing and technical
temporaries.

   Gross profit in 1995 increased $10.1 million, or 16%, over the prior year.
Excluding the effect of acquisitions, gross profit increased $3.7 million, or
6%, primarily as a result of the increase in revenues described above. Gross
profit margin decreased from 22.3% in 1994 to 22.1% in 1995 with acquisitions
having no impact on gross profit margin. These decreases were primarily due to
the increased sale of lower margin products by the distribution subsidiaries and
new product start-up costs in the manufacturing operations.

   Selling, general and administrative expenses in 1995 increased $7.1 million,
or 15%, over 1994 primarily due to selling and delivery costs related to
increased sales. Excluding the effect of acquisitions, selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $2.5 million, or 5%, also due to revenue
increases. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues
decreased to 16.7% in 1995 from 17.0% in 1994, with 1995 acquisitions having no
effect on such percentage. This decrease was the result of a larger revenue base
over which to spread fixed costs.

   Interest expense in 1995 increased $1.1 million, or 34%, over 1994 due to
higher interest rates and additional borrowings used to finance acquisitions and
increased inventory levels required by sales growth and stocking requirements in
new branch locations. Excluding the effects of acquisitions, interest expense
increased $471,000, or 15%, primarily due to higher average monthly borrowings
and higher interest rates.

   The effective income tax rate decreased to 37.2% in 1995 compared to 38.5% in
the prior year. The decrease was primarily the result of the proportionately
larger share of taxable income generated in lower tax rate states in 1995
compared to 1994.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   On September 25, 1996, the Company executed a bank-syndicated revolving
credit agreement, which provides for borrowings of up to $130 million, expiring
on September 30, 2001. The unsecured agreement replaced the Company's previous
revolving credit facilities and will be used to fund acquisitions and seasonal
working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes. Borrowings under
the revolving credit agreement, which totaled $48 million at December 31, 1996,
bear interest at primarily LIBOR-based rates plus a spread that is dependent
upon the Company's financial performance (30-day LIBOR plus .375% at December
31, 1996). The revolving credit agreement contains financial covenants with
respect to the Company's consolidated net worth, interest and debt coverage
ratios, and limits capital expenditures and dividends in addition to other
restrictions.

   The Company has adequate availability of capital from operations and its
revolving credit agreement to fund present operations, the Proposed Acquisitions
and anticipated growth, including expansion in the Company's current and
targeted market areas. The Company continually evaluates

                               12

<PAGE>
potential acquisitions and has held discussions with a number of acquisition
candidates; however, the Company currently has no agreement with respect to any
potential acquisition other than the Proposed Acquisitions. See
"Business--Proposed Acquisitions." Should suitable acquisition opportunities or
working capital needs arise that would require additional financing, the Company
believes that its financial position and earnings history provide a solid base
for obtaining additional financing resources at competitive rates and terms.

   Working capital increased to $127.8 million at September 30, 1996 from $81.4
million at December 31, 1995. In March 1996, the Company completed a public
offering of 2,355,000 shares of Common Stock that yielded net proceeds of $32.6
million. In April 1996, the Company used approximately $14.0 million of the net
proceeds to fund the acquisition of Three States, a Memphis, Tennessee-based
distributor of supplies used primarily in air conditioning and heating systems,
and $2.5 million to repay a 12% subordinated note. In September 1996, the
Company used approximately $15.7 million of the remaining proceeds from the
offering to reduce borrowings under the Company's previous revolving credit
agreements.

   Cash and cash equivalents increased $858,000 for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1996. Principal sources of cash were net proceeds from the
issuance of common stock, borrowings under the revolving credit agreements and
profitable operations. The principal uses of cash were to fund working capital
needs, acquire Three States, repay long-term obligations and fund capital
expenditures. Inventory purchases are substantially funded by borrowings under
revolving credit agreements. The increase in inventory in 1996 was higher than
1995 primarily due to higher levels of inventory carried by the distribution
operations necessary to meet increased demand caused by growth.

SEASONALITY

   Sales of residential central air conditioners, heating equipment and parts
and supplies manufactured and distributed by the Company have historically been
seasonal. Demand related to the residential replacement market generally is
highest in the second and third quarters. Demand related to the new construction
market varies according to the season, with increased demand generally from
March through October.

                               13

<PAGE>

                                   BUSINESS

GENERAL

   The Company is the largest distributor of residential central air
conditioners in the United States, with leading positions in Florida, Texas and
California, the three largest air conditioning markets in the country, as well
as other large markets in the U.S. sunbelt. In 1989, the Company embarked on a
strategy of establishing a network of distribution facilities across the sunbelt
where U.S. population growth is greatest, weather patterns are predictably hot
and air conditioning is seen as a necessity. Since initiating this strategy, the
Company's revenues have increased from $25 million in 1988 to approximately $331
million in 1995 and earnings per share have increased at a compound annual
growth rate of 22%. Total revenues and earnings per share for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 increased 29% and 33%, respectively, over the
comparable period in 1995. Since 1989, Watsco has acquired 11 air conditioning
distributors and believes it is the only company pursuing a consolidation
strategy by making significant acquisitions in the highly fragmented air
conditioning distribution industry. The Company estimates there are 600 air
conditioner distributors in the sunbelt. All of the Company's significant
acquisitions have to date been accretive to earnings per share. In addition, the
Company achieved internal sales growth of 8% and 9% for 1995 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, respectively.

   The following table sets forth for the periods indicated revenues and
operating income (net income before interest expense, net investment income,
insurance proceeds and unallocated corporate overhead expenses) attributable to
the Company's businesses (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   -------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                       1993         1994         1995        1995         1996
                                   ----------- -----------  ----------- -----------    -----------
<S>                                <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
REVENUES:
Climate control segment:

 Distribution ...................    $181,524     $229,796     $276,176     $209,160      $277,541
 Manufacturing ..................      21,543       23,637       22,763       17,448        19,484
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------      --------
  Total climate control segment..     203,067      253,433      298,939      226,608       297,025
Personnel services segment  .....      27,589       30,298       32,069       23,582        24,599
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------      --------
   Total ........................    $230,656     $283,731     $331,008     $250,190      $321,624
                                     ========     ========     ========     ========      ========
OPERATING INCOME:
Climate control segment:

 Distribution ...................    $ 11,643     $ 14,694     $ 17,154     $ 15,233      $ 20,157
 Manufacturing ..................         946        1,707        1,247        1,040         1,416
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------      --------
  Total climate control segment..      12,589       16,401       18,401       16,273        21,573
Personnel services segment  .....         422        1,216        1,370          882         1,018
                                     --------     --------     --------     --------      --------
   Total ........................    $ 13,011     $ 17,617     $ 19,771     $ 17,155      $ 22,591
                                     ========     ========     ========     ========      ========
</TABLE>
RESIDENTIAL CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY

   The Company estimates that in 1995 the market for residential central air
conditioners and related supplies in the sunbelt was over $7 billion and has
grown at an annual rate of 6.3% since 1990. Residential central air conditioners
are manufactured primarily by seven major companies that account for
substantially all units shipped in the U.S. These companies are: Carrier
Corporation (a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation), Goodman
Manufacturing Corporation, Rheem Manufacturing Company, The Trane Company (a
subsidiary of American Standard Companies Inc.), York Air Conditioning &
Refrigeration, Inc., Inter-City Products Corporation and Lennox Industries, Inc.

   The major manufacturers distribute their products primarily through
independent distributors who in turn supply the equipment and related parts and
supplies to contractors and dealers nationwide who

                               14

<PAGE>

sell to, and install the products for, the consumer. Several of the major
manufacturers distribute a significant portion of their products through
factory-owned distribution organizations. Rheem distributes substantially all of
its central air conditioners through independent distributors.

   Residential central air conditioners are sold to the replacement and the
homebuilding markets. The replacement market has increased substantially in size
over the past ten years, surpassing the homebuilding market in significance as a
result of the aging of the installed base of residential central air
conditioners, the introduction of new energy efficient models and the upgrading
of existing homes to central air conditioning. According to the ARI, over 66
million central air conditioners have been installed in the United States since
1975. Management believes that approximately 60% of these units were installed
in the sunbelt. Many of the units installed from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s
are reaching the end of their useful lives, thus providing a growing replacement
market. The mechanical life of central air conditioners varies by region due to
usage and is estimated to range from 8 to 12 years in Florida and Texas to
approximately 18 years in California.

BUSINESS AND ACQUISITION STRATEGY

   The Company focuses on satisfying the needs of the higher margin replacement
market, where customers generally demand immediate, convenient and reliable
service. Therefore, the Company has adopted a strategy of (i) offering complete
product lines, including all equipment and components necessary to install or
repair a central air conditioner, (ii) utilizing multiple warehouse locations in
a single metropolitan market for increased customer convenience, and (iii)
maintaining large, well-stocked inventories to ensure that customer orders are
filled on site in a timely manner. This strategy provides the Company with a
competitive advantage over its smaller, lesser-capitalized competitors who are
unable to maintain the same inventory levels and product variety as the Company.
The Company believes it has a competitive advantage over factory-owned
distributors who typically do not maintain inventories of all parts and
equipment and whose limited number of warehouse locations make it difficult to
meet the time-sensitive demands of the replacement market.

   The Company also sells to the homebuilding market. The Company believes that
its reputation for reliable, high quality service and its relationships with
contractors, who generally serve both the replacement and new construction
markets, allows it to compete effectively in this segment of the market.
Homebuilding, in many of the markets the Company serves, remains below levels of
the mid-1970s to mid-1980s. However, should homebuilding increase in those
markets, the Company is well positioned to benefit from such increases.

   The Company's acquisition strategy is to establish a network of distribution
facilities across the sunbelt and, since 1989, it has acquired 11 air
conditioning distributors. The Company believes it is the only company pursuing
a consolidation strategy by making significant acquisitions in the highly
fragmented air conditioning distribution industry. The Company's growth strategy
seeks to enhance the value of acquired operations by better serving the
"one-stop" shopping needs of customers. This includes broadening product lines
and committing other capital resources to develop the acquired businesses,
including expanding existing branches and opening new branches. The Company also
runs its distribution operations on a decentralized basis in recognition of the
value of the long-term relationships established between the distributors and
their customers. The Company seeks to preserve the identity of acquired
businesses by retaining their management and sales organizations, maintaining
the product brand name offerings previously distributed by them, and selectively
expanding complementary product offerings. The Company believes this strategy
builds the value of the acquired operations by creating additional sales
opportunities, improving operating efficiencies and attaining greater leveraging
of expenses.

   As of December 31, 1996, the Company operated 101 branch warehouses in 14
states. This geographic diversification across the sunbelt minimizes the impact
of unseasonably mild weather on the replacement of air conditioners.

                               15

<PAGE>

   The following is a description of the Company's acquisitions completed in
1996:

   THREE STATES SUPPLY CO., INC. In April 1996, the Company acquired certain
assets of Three States, a Tennessee-based distributor of air conditioning,
heating and other building supplies. Three States sells to approximately 4,000
licensed mechanical and air conditioning contractors from ten branches located
in five states. Three States had 1995 revenues of approximately $48 million.
Since its acquisition, the Company has expanded the products offered by Three
States to include air conditioning equipment manufactured by Nordyne, Inc. (a
subsidiary of Nortek, Inc.).

   SERVICEMAN SUPPLIES, INC. In October 1996, the Company acquired Serviceman, a
Texas-based wholesale distributor of residential central air conditioners and
related parts and supplies. Serviceman sells to approximately 1,500 licensed air
conditioning and heating contractors from six branches which primarily cover the
Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Serviceman reported revenues of
approximately $10 million for its fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.

   COASTAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. In December 1996, the Company acquired Coastal,
a Georgia-based wholesale distributor of parts and supplies used in heating and
air conditioning systems. Coastal primarily sells HVAC-related parts and
supplies to approximately 2,000 air conditioning and heating contractors from
seven branches in Georgia and three in South Carolina. Revenues for 1995 were
approximately $8 million.

PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS

   In November 1996, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of
intent with Inter-City Products Corporation (USA) to acquire Inter-City's
Coastline Distribution, Inc. and four other Inter-City factory branches.
Coastline is an Orlando, Florida-based wholesale distributor of residential air
conditioners and related parts and supplies. It operates 21 branches throughout
Florida, Georgia and Alabama. The other four branches are located in Atlanta,
Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Los Angeles, California; and Savage,
Maryland. Based upon information provided by Inter-City, the 25 branch locations
serve over 5,200 customers and expect to report approximately $94 million of
1996 revenues. The branches will operate as a new subsidiary of the Company and
distribute residential and light commercial air conditioning and heating
equipment manufactured by Inter-City. The Inter-City letter of intent provides
that the acquired branches will not distribute competing air-conditioning and
heating equipment.

   In December 1996, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of
intent with Carrier Corporation to acquire the assets and assume certain
liabilities of Carrier's Comfort Products and Central Plains distribution
operations. The businesses operate from eight branches serving primarily
Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota. Carrier has
advised the Company that such businesses expect to report 1996 revenues of
approximately $65 million. The Carrier letter of intent provides that the
acquired branches will not sell competing products in the specified trade
area.The proposed Carrier transaction will give Watsco a presence in the
midwestern United States, further expanding and diversifying the Company's
geographic and product bases. Although the Company will continue to focus its
growth strategy on the sunbelt, it also evaluates potential acquisitions in
other areas of the country when presented with attractive opportunities such as
the Carrier transaction. While the Company's sunbelt focus is primarily based on
selling air conditioning equipment and related products, the Company also has
experience selling heating equipment. Management believes that the Carrier
transaction will further expand this experience and will enhance the Company's
ability to evaluate, complete and develop other acquisitions outside of the
sunbelt should such opportunities arise.

   The Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering
to pay for the acquisitions from Inter-City and Carrier. However, such
acquisitions are not contingent upon the completion of this offering. See
"Use of Proceeds."

                               16

<PAGE>

DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS

   PRODUCTS. The Company markets a complete line of residential central air
conditioners (primarily under the Rheem brand name) and related parts and
supplies and maintains sufficient inventory to meet its customers' immediate
needs. The Company's strategy is to provide every product a contractor generally
would require in order to install or repair a residential or light commercial
central air conditioner. Such products include residential central* air
conditioners ranging from 1 1/2 to 5 tons*, light commercial air conditioners
ranging up to 20 tons, insulation, grills, sheet metal and other ductwork,
copper tubing, concrete pads, and tape. In addition, the Company also sells
products such as electric and gas heating units, air-to-air heat pumps and
rooftop equipment. Sales of air conditioning and heating equipment accounted for
approximately 63% and 58% of the distribution subsidiaries' revenues for 1995
and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively. Sales of parts and
supplies (currently approximately 50,000 different parts and supplies) comprised
the remaining portions of revenues. In 1995 and the nine months ended September
30, 1996, purchases of Rheem products represented approximately 58% of the
aggregate purchases of the Company's distribution subsidiaries. Any significant
interruption in the delivery of Rheem's products would inhibit the Company's
ability to continue to maintain its current inventory levels and could adversely
affect the Company's business. The Company's future results of operations are
also materially dependent upon the continued market acceptance of Rheem products
and the ability of Rheem to continue to manufacture products that comply with
laws relating to environmental and efficiency standards.

   DISTRIBUTION AND SALES. The Company currently operates out of 101 branch
warehouses located in regions of the sunbelt which the Company believes have
favorable demographic trends. The Company maintains well-stocked inventories at
each warehouse location to meet the immediate needs of its customers. This is
accomplished by transporting inventory between warehouses daily and either
directly delivering products to customers with the Company's fleet of
approximately 250 trucks or making the products available for pick-up at the
nearest branch. At December 31, 1996, the Company had approximately 137
commissioned salespeople who averaged 13 years of experience in the residential
central air conditioning equipment industry.

   CUSTOMERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. The Company sells to contractors and dealers
who service the new construction and replacement markets for residential and
light commercial central air conditioners. In 1996, the Company served over
28,000 customers, with no single customer accounting for more than 2% of
consolidated revenues. The Company focuses on providing products where and when
the customer needs them, technical support by phone or on site as required, and
quick and efficient service at the branch locations. Management believes that
the Company successfully competes with other distributors in the residential and
light commercial central air conditioning market primarily on the basis of its
experienced sales organization, strong service support, high quality reputation,
extensive branch network and broad product lines.

MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

   The Company produces over 4,000 electronic and mechanical components for air
conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment that are sold to over 5,000
wholesale distributors and OEMs, with no single customer accounting for more
than 1% of consolidated revenues. The Company's products include: components,
such as line tap and specialty valves, motor compressor protectors, liquid sight
glasses, warm air controls; and equipment, such as vacuum pumps, and refrigerant
recovery systems. Many of the Company's products are patented and compete in the
market place based on uniqueness as well as quality and price. The Company's OEM
customers include most of the major air conditioning manufacturers, including
Rheem, Carrier and Inter-City.

- ------------------------
* The cooling of air conditioning units is measured in tons. One ton of cooling
  capacity is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs and is generally adequate to air
  condition approximately 500 square feet of residential space.

                               17

<PAGE>

   The Company conducts research and development to improve the quality and
performance of its manufactured products and to develop new products and product
line improvements. The Company performs research and development both in-house
and by extensive field testing of products. The Company's engineering staff,
consisting of 11 employees, develops new customized products to end-user
specification and continuously improves, supplements and enhances product lines
with newly developed products.

RELATIONSHIP WITH RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY

   The Company believes that it maintains a unique and mutually beneficial
relationship with Rheem, the third largest manufacturer of residential central
air conditioners in the United States. Rheem has a well-established reputation
of producing high-quality, competitively priced products. The Company believes
that Rheem's current product offerings, quality, serviceability and brand-name
recognition allow the Company to operate favorably against its competitors. To
maintain brand-name recognition, Rheem provides national advertising and
participates with the Company in cooperative advertising programs and
promotional incentives that are targeted to both contractors and homeowners. The
Company estimates the replacement market currently accounts for approximately
65% of industry sales in the United States and is expected to increase as units
installed in the 1970s and 1980s wear out and are replaced or updated to more
energy-efficient models. The Company believes Rheem's products have wide
acceptance in the replacement market based on their high efficiency and low
noise level, two key homeowner considerations. Additionally, Rheem has
demonstrated the flexibility to manufacture products to international
specifications to meet export demands.

   The Company is Rheem's largest distributor and has been granted exclusive
rights under distribution agreements for Rheem brand-name products in each of
the most significant market areas and many of the major metropolitan areas in
the United States sunbelt including: the State of Florida; the eastern half of
Texas (including the Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin metropolitan
areas), southern and central California; the State of Arizona; the State of
Nevada; western North Carolina (including the Charlotte metropolitan area) and
additional territories in Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas. The Company also has
distribution rights for the Rheem brand-name or Weatherking brand-name
(manufactured by Rheem) in substantially all of Central America, South America
and the Caribbean.

   Rheem acquired minority common equity ownership interests in Gemaire (20%),
Comfort Supply (20%) and Heating & Cooling Supply (50%) as a joint venture
partner in the acquisition of each of these subsidiaries. In March 1996, the
Company exchanged 1,446,542 shares of Common Stock for Rheem's minority common
equity interests. Following this offering, Rheem will own approximately 9.7% of
the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. In addition, Rheem's President and
Chief Executive Officer serves as one of the Company's directors.

   Gemaire, Comfort Supply and Heating & Cooling operate under distribution
agreements with Rheem that extend through 2006 with annual renewals thereafter.
The Company's fourth distribution agreement with Rheem (Central Air
Conditioning) can be terminated at any time without cause by either party. The
Gemaire, Comfort Supply and Heating & Cooling distribution agreements contain
provisions limiting the sale of products by such subsidiaries that are directly
competitive with Rheem products. Based on the acceptance of other complimentary,
non-competitive equipment products and the Company's additional focus on the
sales of parts and supplies, the Company does not believe that these limitations
have a material effect on its operations. Except for the limitations set forth
in Gemaire's, Comfort Supply's and Heating & Cooling's distribution agreements
and the distribution arrangements to be entered into in connection with the
Proposed Acquisitions, the Company may distribute other manufacturers' lines of
air conditioning equipment.

PERSONNEL SERVICES

   Dunhill, founded in 1952, is one of the nation's best known personnel service
networks. Through franchised, licensed, and company-owned offices in 40 states,
Puerto Rico and Canada, Dunhill

                               18

<PAGE>

provides permanent placement and temporary help services to business,
professional and service organizations, government agencies, health care
providers, and other employers. As of December 31, 1996, Dunhill's operations
consisted of 110 franchised permanent placement offices and 18 franchised, 7
licensed, and 14 company-owned temporary personnel service offices. Dunhill's
franchisees operate their businesses autonomously within the framework of the
Company's policies and standards, and recruit, employ, and pay their own
employees, including temporary employees. Dunhill's permanent placement division
recruits primarily middle-management, sales, technical, administrative, and
support personnel for permanent employment in a wide variety of industries and
positions. The fees paid by employers to Dunhill for its permanent placement
services are typically contingent upon the Company's successful placement of an
employee and are generally a percentage of the annual compensation to be paid to
the new employee.

   Dunhill receives an initial fee from all licensees and franchisees, and
on-going revenues from (i) temporary help licensees of approximately 7% of the
licensee's gross receipts and (ii) royalty fees from permanent placement and
temporary help franchisees of approximately 7% and 1 1/2 % to 3%, respectively,
of gross franchisee receipts. Licenses and franchises are generally granted for
5 and 10 year terms, respectively, and are typically renewable at the option of
the licensee or franchisee for additional terms of 5 and 10 years, respectively.

COMPETITION

   All of the Company's businesses operate in highly competitive environments.
The Company's distribution business competes with a number of distributors and
also with air conditioner manufacturers who distribute a significant portion of
their products through factory-owned distribution organizations. Many of the
manufacturers which have distribution organizations are larger and have greater
financial resources than those of the Company. Competition within any given
geographic market is based upon product availability, customer service, price
and quality. The Company's manufacturing business has several major competitors,
a few of which are larger and have greater financial resources. Dunhill competes
with numerous other large and small national, regional, and local personnel
service providers. Competitive pressures or other factors could cause the
Company's products or services to lose market acceptance or result in
significant price erosion, all of which would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's profitability.

                               19

<PAGE>

                                  MANAGEMENT

   Certain information concerning directors and executive officers of the
Company and the Presidents of the principal subsidiaries of the Company is set
forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 NAME                                                AGE                     POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- ---------------------------------                  ------                  -------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                      <C>
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
  Albert H. Nahmad                                  56                       Chairman of the Board and President
  Ronald P. Newman                                  50                       Chief Financial Officer and
                                                                             Secretary
  Barry S. Logan                                    34                       Treasurer
  D.A. Coape-Arnold                                 79                       Director
  David B. Fleeman(1)                               83                       Director
  James S. Grien(2)                                 39                       Director
  Paul F. Manley(1)(3)                              60                       Director
  Bob L. Moss(2)                                    49                       Director
  Roberto Motta                                     83                       Director
  Alan H. Potamkin(3)                               48                       Director
  Gary L. Tapella                                   53                       Director
PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARY PRESIDENTS
  Kenneth A. Perkins                                59                       President of Gemaire
  Robert M. Lazarus                                 54                       President of Heating & Cooling
  Eric A. Young                                     38                       President of Comfort Supply
  Michael B. Huff                                   35                       President of Central Air
                                                                             Conditioning
  Charles M. Brejot                                 71                       President of Three States
  Neal Fischer                                      45                       President of Watsco Components, Inc.
  Daniel H. Abramson                                47                       President of Dunhill

</TABLE>

(1) Member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

(2) Member of the Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors.

(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

   ALBERT H. NAHMAD has served as Chairman of the Board and President of the
Company since 1973. Mr. Nahmad is the general partner of Alna Capital
Associates, a New York limited partnership, which is the principal
shareholder of the Company. Mr. Nahmad also serves as a member of the Board
of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission, a United States federal agency.
Additionally Mr. Nahmad is a director of American Bankers Insurance Group,
Inc. and Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., publicly held companies.

   RONALD P. NEWMAN has served as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of
the Company since 1982. Mr. Newman, a certified public accountant, was
associated with the accounting firm of Arthur Young & Company from 1977 to
1982.

   BARRY S. LOGAN has served as Treasurer of the Company since 1996. From
1992 to 1996, Mr. Logan served as Controller of the Company. Mr. Logan, a
certified public accountant, was associated with the accounting firm of
Arthur Andersen LLP from 1985 to 1992.

   D.A. COAPE-ARNOLD has been a director of the Company since 1981. Since
1988, Mr. Coape-Arnold has also served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Dunhill. From 1982 to present, Mr. Coape-Arnold has
served as a consultant for a variety of businesses. From 1978 until 1982, he
served as Vice President of publicly held Wickes Corporation. From 1961 to
1978, Mr. Coape-Arnold served as Vice President and Group Executive of
publicly held W.R. Grace & Co.

   DAVID B. FLEEMAN has been a director of the Company since 1977. Since
1956, Mr. Fleeman has served as the Managing Partner of Fleeman Builders, a
Florida general partnership engaged primarily in real estate development.

                               20

<PAGE>

   JAMES S. GRIEN has been a director of the Company since 1994. Mr. Grien is
a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Group of Prudential Securities
Incorporated and has been employed by Prudential Securities Incorporated in
various positions since 1989.

   PAUL F. MANLEY has been a director of the Company since 1984. Mr. Manley
served as Executive Director of the law firm of Holland & Knight from 1987 to
1991. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Manley served as Vice President of Planning at
Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, a publicly held manufacturer of electronic
article surveillance systems. Prior to 1982, Mr. Manley served as the Managing
Partner of the Miami office of Arthur Young & Company.

   BOB L. MOSS has been a director of the Company since 1992. Since 1986 Mr.
Moss has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Centex-Rooney
Enterprises, Inc., Florida's largest general contractor and a subsidiary of
publicly held Centex Corporation.

   ROBERTO MOTTA has been a director of the Company since 1975. Mr. Motta has
been engaged as a private investor in various business activities for more
than five years.

   ALAN H. POTAMKIN has been a director of the Company since 1994. Since
1970, Mr. Potamkin has served as President of Potamkin Companies, one of the
nation's largest retail automobile dealers. In addition, Mr. Potamkin is an
owner of various media properties and an owner of Office Depot, Inc.
franchises in eastern Europe.

   GARY L. TAPELLA has been a director of the Company since April 1996. Since
1991, Mr. Tapella has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Rheem, one of the nation's largest manufacturers of air conditioning, heating
and water heating equipment.

                                  * * * * *

   KENNETH A. PERKINS, a co-founder of Gemaire in 1969, has served as its
President since 1987. From 1969 to 1987, he served as Gemaire's Vice
President--Marketing. Mr. Perkins has over 29 years of experience in the air
conditioning industry.

   ROBERT M. LAZARUS has served as President of Heating & Cooling since 1996.
From 1995 to 1996, he served as Heating & Cooling's Executive Vice President and
as its Vice President--Marketing from 1987 to 1995. From 1976 to 1987, he was
employed in various capacities by Heating & Cooling.

   ERIC A. YOUNG has served as President of Comfort Supply since 1993. From
1991 to 1993, he was employed as Executive Vice President of Comfort Supply.

   MICHAEL B. HUFF has served as President of Central Air Conditioning since
1995. From 1978 to 1995, he was employed in various capacities by Central Air
Conditioning.

   CHARLES M. BREJOT has served as President of Three States since 1978. From
1969 to 1978, he served as Three States' Executive Vice President and has been
employed at Three States in various capacities since 1951.

   NEAL FISCHER joined the Company in 1986 and has served as President of the
Company's manufacturing subsidiaries since 1991. From 1986 to 1991, he served as
Controller of the Company's manufacturing subsidiaries.

   DANIEL H. ABRAMSON has served as President of Dunhill since 1994. From 1992
to 1994, he served as Executive Vice President of Dunhill's professional search
division. From 1986 to 1992, he owned and operated Dunhill Professional Search
of Providence, Inc., a Dunhill franchisee.

   The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide for the Board of Directors to
have up to nine members, to be divided as nearly as possible in three equal
divisions to serve in staggered terms of

                               21

<PAGE>

three years. Each division currently consists of one director to be elected
by the holders of Common Stock and two directors to be elected by the holders
of Class B Common Stock. The number of members comprising the Board of
Directors is presently set at nine, three of whom are Common Stock directors
and six of whom are Class B directors. At present Messrs. Manley (Common
Stock), Nahmad (Class B) and Coape-Arnold (Class B) serve until the 1999
annual meeting of shareholders, Messrs. Potamkin (Common Stock), Motta (Class
B) and Tapella (Class B) serve until the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders
and Messrs. Grien (Common Stock), Fleeman (Class B) and Moss (Class B) serve
until the 1998 annual meeting of shareholders. Upon completion of this
offering, Albert H. Nahmad, the Company's Chairman and President, and a
limited partnership controlled by him, collectively will retain beneficial
ownership of approximately 3% of the Common Stock and 69% of the Class B
Common Stock and will have approximately 40% of the combined voting power of
the outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. As a result, Mr.
Nahmad will continue to have the voting power to elect all but three members
of the Company's nine-person Board of Directors.

                               22

<PAGE>

                                 UNDERWRITING

   Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters named below, and each of
such Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs & Co., Prudential Securities
Incorporated, Smith Barney Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated are
acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase from the Company,
the respective number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite its name
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           NUMBER
                                                        OF SHARES OF
     UNDERWRITER                                        COMMON STOCK
     -----------                                        ------------
<S>                                                        <C>

Goldman, Sachs & Co. .................................
Prudential Securities Incorporated....................
Smith Barney Inc. ....................................
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated....................
                                                           ---------
   Total .............................................     3,000,000
                                                           =========   
</TABLE>

   Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken.

   The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part directly
to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus, and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less
a concession of $ per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $ per share to certain brokers and
dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for sale to the public,
the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by
the representatives.

   The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an aggregate of 450,000
additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. If the
Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the Underwriters have
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of
them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the 3,000,000 shares of Common
Stock offered.

   The Company, its officers and directors and certain shareholders have agreed
that during the period beginning from the date of this Prospectus and continuing
to and including the date 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, not to
offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities of the
Company (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing, or on the
conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding, on
the date of this Prospectus) that are substantially similar to the shares of
Common Stock or that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent
the right to receive, Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities,
without the prior written consent of the representatives except for the shares
of Common Stock offered in connection with the offering.

   The Company has agreed to idemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

   James S. Grien, a director of the Company, is a Managing Director in the
Investment Banking Group of Prudential Securities Incorporated, one of the
representatives.

                               23

<PAGE>
                                LEGAL MATTERS

   The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, P.A., Miami,
Florida. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by King
& Spalding, New York, New York. King & Spalding will rely upon the opinion of
Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, P.A. as to all matters of
Florida law.

                                   EXPERTS

   The financial statements and schedules of the Company included (or
incorporated by reference) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
certified public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in giving said reports.

   The financial statements of Three States included in the Company's Form 8-K
dated April 12, 1996 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and
Registration Statement have been audited by Rhea & Ivy, P.L.C., independent
certified public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto,
and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said reports.

                            AVAILABLE INFORMATION

   The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the Public Reference Section of the Commission maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and at Suite 1400, 500 W.
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and copies of such material may be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or the American
Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.

   This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. This Prospectus omits certain information contained in the Registration
Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and
related exhibits for further information with respect to the Company and the
securities offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and in such instance
reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Copies of the
Registration Statement may be obtained from the Commission's principal office at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the fees
prescribed by the Commission, or may be examined, without charge, at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission. The Commission also maintains
a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed
electronically with the Commission.

               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

   The following documents filed by the Company (File No. 1-5581) with the
Commission are incorporated herein by reference: (1) the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended

                               24

<PAGE>

December 31, 1995; (2) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996; (3) the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 12, 1996; and (4) the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed May 4, 1994, registering the
Company's Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. All documents
filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Common Stock registered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any statements contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that the statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part
of this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to each person to
whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon a written or oral request of such
person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents, unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents).
Request for such copies should be delivered to Ronald P. Newman, Chief Financial
Officer, 2665 South Bayshore Drive, Suite 901, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133,
telephone (305) 858-0828.

                               25

<PAGE>

 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR ANY OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 PAGE

                                              ---------

<S>                                           <C>
Prospectus Summary .........................       3

Use of Proceeds ............................       6

Capitalization .............................       7

Price Range of Common Stock ................       8

Selected Financial Data ....................       9

Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results

of Operations ..............................      10

Business ...................................      14

Management .................................      20

Underwriting ...............................      23

Legal Matters ..............................      24

Experts ....................................      24

Available Information ......................      24

Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference ...............................      24
</TABLE>

                               3,000,000 SHARES

                                 WATSCO, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (PAR VALUE $.50 PER SHARE)

                           --------------------------


                                     WATSCO
      

                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                       PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED

                                SMITH BARNEY INC.

                              ROBERT W. BAIRD & CO.
                                  INCORPORATED

                       REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS

                                1

<PAGE>

                                   PART II
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                   <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee    $ 30,789
NASD filing fee ....................................      9,557
New York Stock Exchange listing fees ...............     40,230
Blue Sky fees and expenses .........................      3,500
Printing and engraving expenses ....................     60,000
Legal fees and expenses ............................     75,000
Accounting fees and expenses .......................     50,000
Miscellaneous ......................................     80,924
                                                      ----------
   Total ...........................................   $350,000
                                                      ==========
</TABLE>

   All amounts except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee,
the NASD filing fee and the New York Stock Exchange listing fee are estimated.

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

   Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act permits a Florida
corporation to indemnify a present or former director or officer of the
corporation (and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation
in related capacities) for liabilities, including legal expenses, arising by
reason of service in such capacity if such person shall have acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had
no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. However, in the case of
actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may be
made with respect to any matter as to which such director or officer shall have
been adjudged liable, except in certain limited circumstances.

   Article VII of the Company's Articles of Incorporation provides that the
Company shall indemnify any present or former director or officer of the Company
(and certain other persons serving at the request of the Company in related
capacities) for liabilities incurred in connection with litigation and by reason
of service in such capacity, except in relation to matters as to which he shall
be adjudged in such action to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the
performance of his duties.

   Article VIII of the Company's bylaws provides that the Company shall
indemnify its officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. The
Company maintains a standard policy of directors and officers liability
insurance covering directors and officers of the Company with respect to
liabilities incurred as a result of their service in such capacities.

                                      II-1

<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT
     NO.                                                 DESCRIPTION
     ---                                                 -----------
<S>          <C>
     1.1     Proposed form of Underwriting Agreement**
     2.1     Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 27, 1996, by and among TSSC Acquisition, Inc., Three States
             Supply Co., Inc. and UIS, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's Form 8-K dated April 12,
             1996 and incorporated herein by reference).
     4.1     Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (filed
               as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               dated June 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference).
     4.2     Company's Amended Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31,
               1985 and incorporated herein by reference).
     5.1     Opinion of Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, P.A. as to the validity of the
               Common Stock being registered.*
    23.1     Consent of Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen & Quentel, P.A. (included in its opinion
               filed as Exhibit 5.1).*
    23.2     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP*
    23.3     Consent of Rhea & Ivy, P.L.C.*
    24.1     Power of Attorney (included on page II-3).
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
 * Filed herewith.
** To be filed by amendment.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

   (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

   (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

       (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
   1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
   this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
   form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
   or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
   registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

       (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
   of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
   shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
   offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
   deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering thereof.

       (3) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
   1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
   or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
   filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d)
   of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
   the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
   relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
   securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial BONA FIDE offering
   thereof.

                                      II-2

<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Miami, State of Florida, on January 14, 1997.

                                WATSCO, INC.


                                By: /s/ RONALD P. NEWMAN
                                    ---------------------------
                                   Ronald P. Newman, Chief Financial Officer
                                   and Secretary

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

   Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Albert H.
Nahmad and Ronald P. Newman, or any one of them, as his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution
for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities to execute in
the name of each such person who is then an officer of director of the
Registrant any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, and any registration statement relating to the offering
hereunder pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other attorneys-in-fact and
agents and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing required or necessary to be done in and about the premises
as fully as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.

   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

        SIGNATURE                        TITLE                        DATE
        ---------                        -----                        ----      
<S>                       <C>                                 <C>
/s/   ALBERT H. NAHMAD    Chairman of the Board               January 14, 1997
- ------------------------    (principal executive officer)
     Albert H. Nahmad

/s/   RONALD P. NEWMAN    Chief Financial Officer and         January 14, 1997
- ------------------------    Secretary (principal financial
     Ronald P. Newman       and accounting officer)

/s/  D. A. COAPE-ARNOLD   Director                            January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
    D. A. Coape-Arnold

/s/   DAVID B. FLEEMAN    Director                            January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
     David B. Fleeman

/s/    JAMES S. GRIEN     Director                            January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
      James S. Grien

                                      II-3

<PAGE>

        SIGNATURE                        TITLE                        DATE
        ---------                        -----                        ----      

/s/    PAUL F. MANLEY     Director                            January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
       Paul F. Manley

/s/      BOB L. MOSS       Director                           January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
         Bob L. Moss

/s/     ROBERTO MOTTA      Director                           January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
        Roberto Motta

/s/   ALAN H. POTAMKIN    Director                            January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
      Alan H. Potamkin

/s/    GARY L. TAPELLA     Director                           January 14, 1997
- ------------------------
       Gary L. Tapella
</TABLE>
                                      II- 4

                                   GREENBERG
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                                    TRAURIG

                                                              January 15, 1997

Watsco, Inc.
2665 South Bayshore Drive
Suite 901
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133

         Re:   OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK OF WATSCO, INC.

Gentlemen:

         On the date hereof, Watsco, Inc., a Florida corporation (the
"Company"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"). Such Registration Statement relates to the sale by
the Company of up to 3,450,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value
$.50 per share (the "Shares"). We have acted as counsel to the Company in
connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement.

         In connection therewith, we have examined and relied upon the original
or a copy, certified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws of the Company; (ii) resolutions of
the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the offering and the issuance
of the shares and related matters; (iii) the

             GREENBERG TRAURIG HOFFMAN LIPOFF ROSEN & QUENTEL, P.A.
   1221 BRICKELL AVENUE MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131  305-579-0500  FAX 305-579-0717
              MIAMI  FORT LAUDERDALE  WEST PALM BEACH  TALLAHASSEE
                          NEW YORK  WASHINGTON, D.C.


<PAGE>

Watsco, Inc.
January 15, 1997
Page 2

- ----------------

Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto; and (iv) such other documents
and instruments as we have deemed necessary for the expression of the opinions
herein contained. In making the foregoing examinations, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to
us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies. As to various questions of
fact material to this opinion, we have relied, to the extent we deem reasonably
appropriate, upon representations or certificates of officers or directors of
the Company and upon documents, records and instruments furnished to us by the
Company, without independently checking or verifying the accuracy of such
documents, records, and instruments.

         Based upon the foregoing examination, we are of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered in
accordance with the Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the
Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category or persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.

                                                   Sincerely,

                                                   GREENBERG, TRAURIG, HOFFMAN,
                                                   LIPOFF, ROSEN & QUENTEL, P.A.




                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.2

             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   As independent certified public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
March 29, 1996, included in (or incorporated by reference) in Watsco, Inc.'s
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and to all references to our Firm
included in this registration statement.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Miami, Florida,

 January 14, 1997.

                               



                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.3

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement
on Form S-3 of Watsco, Inc. of our report on our audit of the financial
statements of Three States Supply Company, Inc. dated February 5, 1996, except
for the matter discussed in Note 8 as to which the date is April 12, 1996,
included in Watsco, Inc.'s Form 8-K dated April 12, 1996. We also consent to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Experts."

RHEA & IVY, P.L.C.

Memphis, Tennessee
 January 14, 1997.



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