<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>