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 QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

     BIRMINGHAM, Al., October 27 - Moore-Handley, Inc. (NASDAQ - MHCO)
reported net sales of $40,000,000 and net income of $45,000 or $.02 per
share for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.  This compares to a loss 
of $(372,000) or $(.17) per share in the same quarter last year.

     Summary results of operations follow:

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

                                      Quarter Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                      September  30         September 30  
                                    1997      1996       1997        1996

Sales                                $40,000    $39,280   $113,266   $113,803 

Total gross margin                     5,843      5,955     16,748     17,683 
Warehouse & delivery expense           2,329      2,703      7,093      7,501 
Gross profit                           3,514      3,252      9,655     10,182 
Selling & administrative expense       3,212      3,593     10,237     10,664 
Operating income (loss)                  302       (341)      (582)      (482)
Interest expense                         236        246        734        621 
Income (loss) before provision
  for income tax (benefit)                66       (587)    (1,316)    (1,103)
Income tax (benefit)                      21       (215)      (419)      (410)
Net income (loss)                    $    45     $ (372)   $  (897)  $   (693)

Net income (loss) per share            $ .02      $(.17)     $(.42)     $(.32)

Weighted average 
 common shares outstanding         2,154,000   2,165,000  2,154,000  2,165,000 

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