<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Gehl
Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 30, 1996 and consolidated
statements of income for the three month period ended March 30, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                            3740
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    79165
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      22856
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                107162
<PP&E>                                           54368
<DEPRECIATION>                                   33930
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  140165
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            30484
<BONDS>                                          51150<F2>
<COMMON>                                           622
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       56424
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    140165
<SALES>                                          39165
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 39165
<CGS>                                            28149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    28149
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2299
<INCOME-TAX>                                       403
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1896
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1896
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Company presents receivables on a net basis in compliance with Article 10
of Regulation S-X.
<F2>Includes all non-current portion of debt obligations
<F3>Not reported
</FN>