EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016	[1]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1]	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Jun. 30, 2015	[1]	Mar. 31, 2015	[1]	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	[1]	Jun. 30, 2014	[1]	Mar. 31, 2014	[1]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Basic [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)																						15,042	14,423	14,639
Net income (loss) attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	$ 7,400	$ 200		$ 5,100		$ (5,100)		$ (3,000)	$ (52,400)		$ 7,200		$ 9,700									$ 7,702	$ (38,536)	$ (45,238)
Convertible preferred stock dividend																						(90)	(90)	(90)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders																						$ 7,612	$ (38,626)	$ (45,328)
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.02		$ 0.36		$ (0.36)		$ (0.20)	$ (3.64)		$ 0.50		$ 0.67		$ (6.09)	$ 1.16		$ 1.01		$ 0.74		$ 0.51	$ (2.68)	$ (3.10)
Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)																						15,042	14,423	14,639
Assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock (in shares)																						840	0	0
Total dilutive shares (in shares)																						15,882	14,423	14,639
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders																						$ 7,612	$ (38,626)	$ (45,328)
Convertible preferred stock dividend																						90	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc. for diluted earnings per share																						$ 7,702	$ (38,626)	$ (45,328)
Per share amount (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.02		$ 0.34		$ (0.36)																$ 0.49	$ (2.68)	$ (3.10)
Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share calculation (in shares)																						840

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2014, DXP finalized its purchase accounting for customer relationships for the acquisition of B27 and amortized the customer relationships on an accelerated basis. The revision increased amortization expense by $1.0 million per quarter.