CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,006,782	$ 962,092	$ 1,247,043
Cost of sales	735,201	697,290	895,057
Gross profit	271,581	264,802	351,986
Selling, general and administrative expense	238,091	245,470	303,819
Impairment expense	0	0	68,735
B27 settlement	0	0	7,348
Operating income (loss)	33,490	19,332	(27,916)
Other expense (income), net	(456)	(5,906)	72
Interest expense	17,054	15,564	10,932
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,892	9,674	(38,920)
Provision for income taxes	363	2,523	150
Net income (loss)	16,529	7,151	(39,070)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(359)	(551)	(534)
Net income (loss) attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	16,888	7,702	(38,536)
Preferred stock dividend	90	90	90
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	16,798	7,612	(38,626)
Net income (loss)	16,529	7,151	(39,070)
Cumulative translation adjustment, net of income taxes	(1,217)	(7,658)	(4,916)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 15,312	$ (507)	$ (43,986)
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.51	$ (2.68)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,400	15,042	14,423
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.49	$ (2.68)
Weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	18,240	15,882	14,423