<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted form the unaudited
financial statements of Applied Power Inc. for the six month period ended
February 29, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-29-1996
<CASH>                                           3,371
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,924
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,047
<INVENTORY>                                    107,186
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,921
<PP&E>                                         158,887
<DEPRECIATION>                                  87,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 350,862
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,105
<BONDS>                                         79,280
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,684
<OTHER-SE>                                     142,407
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   350,862
<SALES>                                        276,350
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               276,350
<CGS>                                          170,604
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  170,604
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,114
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,588
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,228
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,360
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,360
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.10