<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE YORK GROUP, INC. 1997 FIRST QUARTER REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          34,726
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,509
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,936
<INVENTORY>                                     21,732
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                74,683
<PP&E>                                          48,184
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,376
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 112,943
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,996
<BONDS>                                         29,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            80
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,411
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   112,943
<SALES>                                         43,007
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,007
<CGS>                                           32,365
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,365
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    19
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 122
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,024
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,259
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,765
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,765
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.46