<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE YORK GROUP, INC. 1998 FIRST QUARTER REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,046
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,768
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,703
<INVENTORY>                                     40,730
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                84,252
<PP&E>                                          75,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,329
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 201,619
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,216
<BONDS>                                         78,409
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            89
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,619
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   201,619
<SALES>                                         55,154
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                55,154
<CGS>                                           38,357
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,357
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 389
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,183
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,765
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,418
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48