<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 29, 1996 AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THIRTY-NINE
WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1996 OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1996
<CASH>                                         146,506
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               12,883,322
<ALLOWANCES>                                    98,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,439,055
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,454,872
<PP&E>                                       5,791,184<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,417,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,485,967
<BONDS>                                      9,575,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,061,395
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,177,210
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,417,411
<SALES>                                     45,915,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            45,915,307
<CGS>                                       30,384,268
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               43,748,283
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (7,019)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             461,106
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,712,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                   685,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,027,937
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,027,937
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29
<FN>
<F1>PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION ON
THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
</FN>