Moore-Handley: Quarterly Earnings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For:  Moore-Handley, Inc.               Contact: L. Ward Edwards
      P.O. Box 2607                     (404) 577-5532
      Birmingham, Al. 35202

                MOORE-HANDLEY REPORTS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                   FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

   BIRMINGHAM, Al., March 4 - Moore-Handley, Inc. (NASDAQ - MHCO) reported 
   a net loss of $(1,416,000) or $(.66) per share for 1997 compared to a net 
   loss of $(1,072,000) or $(.50) per share for the preceding year.  The loss 
   for the quarter was $(519,000) or $(.25) per share compared to a net loss of
   $(379,000) or $(.18) per share for the same quarter last year.  The Company 
   noted that results for January 1998 were substantially improved over those
   of the same month last year.



     Summary results of operations for 1997 follow:

                                      Summary Statement of Operations
                                    (in thousands, except per share data)

                                      Quarter Ended          Year Ended
                                      December  31          December 31  
                                      1997      1996       1997        1996

Sales                                $32,464   $31,982   $145,730  $145,785 

Total gross margin                     5,354     5,681     22,102    23,364 
Warehouse & delivery expense           2,393     2,407      9,486     9,908 
Gross profit                           2,961     3,274     12,616    13,456 
Selling & administrative expense       3,468     3,476     13,705    14,140 
Operating income (loss)                 (507)     (202)    (1,089)     (684)
Interest expense                         257       287        991       908 
Income (loss) before provision
  for income tax (benefit)              (764)     (489)    (2,080)    (1592)
Income tax (benefit)                    (245)     (110)      (664)     (520)
Net income (loss)                    $  (519) $   (379)   $(1,416)  $(1,072)

Net income (loss) per share            $(.25)    $(.18)     $(.66)    $(.50)
Weighted average 
 common shares outstanding         2,045,000  2,158,000 2,135,000 2,159,000 

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