<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> Financial Data Schedule - Q3 1998 </LEGEND> <CIK> 319379 <NAME> PSC Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> US Dollars <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> OCT-02-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,489 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 37,981 <ALLOWANCES> 1,337 <INVENTORY> 21,036 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 63,671 <PP&E> 35,185 <DEPRECIATION> 17,126 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 174,353 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,309 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 1 <COMMON> 120 <OTHER-SE> 40,721 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 174,353 <SALES> 158,312 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 158,312 <CGS> 92,293 <TOTAL-COSTS> 46,183 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,037 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,145 <INCOME-TAX> 4,493 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,652 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,652 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.66 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.55