<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE YORK GROUP, INC. 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           4,546
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,571
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,742
<INVENTORY>                                     41,494
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,991
<PP&E>                                          78,491
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,335
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 203,750
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,387
<BONDS>                                         82,275
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            89
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   203,750
<SALES>                                        115,834
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               115,834
<CGS>                                           81,442
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,442
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,014
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,697
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,317
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,317
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80