<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 3,444 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 54,274 <ALLOWANCES> 3,298 <INVENTORY> 34,318 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 100,752 <PP&E> 32,890 <DEPRECIATION> 16,447 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 211,453 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 36,446 <BONDS> 16,894 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 17 <OTHER-SE> 148,343 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 211,453 <SALES> 79,130 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 79,130 <CGS> 40,534 <TOTAL-COSTS> 40,534 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 11 <LOSS-PROVISION> 222 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 100 <INCOME-PRETAX> 14,453 <INCOME-TAX> 5,689 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,764 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,764 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.51 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.49