<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT OF THE THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 1997 FORM 10-Q AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000849547
<NAME> BLACK BOX CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,567
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,831
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,552
<INVENTORY>                                     25,135
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                71,150
<PP&E>                                          23,376
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,076
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,133
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,677
<BONDS>                                         24,734
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            16
<OTHER-SE>                                      88,126
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,133
<SALES>                                        166,677
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               166,677
<CGS>                                           77,514
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  133,951
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (176)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,023
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,879
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,738
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,141
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,141
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.99
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.99