<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 30, 1997 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE
FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED MARCH 30, 1997 OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                         120,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               13,729,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                   171,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,509,840
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            20,087,761
<PP&E>                                       5,928,062<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              26,211,111
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,408,699
<BONDS>                                      9,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,084,645
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,717,767
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                26,211,111
<SALES>                                     63,035,814
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            63,035,814
<CGS>                                       41,297,467
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               59,734,363
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (7,047)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             617,004
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,691,494
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,123,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,568,494
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,568,494
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44
<FN>
<F1> PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED NET OF ACCUMULATED
     DEPRECIATION ON THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
</FN>