<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Gehl
Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 28, 1998 and condensed
consolidated statements of income for the three-month period ended March 28,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial 
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                            3049
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    96272
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      32793
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                137915
<PP&E>                                           73654
<DEPRECIATION>                                   38713
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  196583
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            50939
<BONDS>                                          58767<F2>
<COMMON>                                           640
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       80887
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    196583
<SALES>                                          61288
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 61288
<CGS>                                            45437
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    45437
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1176
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   4130
<INCOME-TAX>                                      1466
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               2664
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      2664
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40
<FN>
<F1>The 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>The EPS under the "EPS-Primary" tag represents Basic Earnings Per Share.
</FN>