<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE YORK GROUP, INC. 1997 SECOND QUARTER REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          29,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,347
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,953
<INVENTORY>                                     30,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                84,130
<PP&E>                                          52,815
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,338
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,412
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,659
<BONDS>                                         29,586
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            85
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,171
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,412
<SALES>                                         86,446
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                86,446
<CGS>                                           65,850
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   65,850
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    31
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 213
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,955
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,108
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,847
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,847
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82