<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the audited financial statements of APW Ltd. for the year ended August 31, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts). </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-2000 <CASH> 570 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 122,405 <ALLOWANCES> 3,924 <INVENTORY> 155,402 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 297,602 <PP&E> 359,007 <DEPRECIATION> 181,975 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,214,070 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 292,237 <BONDS> 236,370 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 392 <OTHER-SE> 625,987 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,214,070 <SALES> 1,239,542 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,239,542 <CGS> 916,294 <TOTAL-COSTS> 916,294 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,541 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 52,657 <INCOME-PRETAX> 33,554 <INCOME-TAX> 54,093 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (20,539) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (2,083) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (22,622) <EPS-BASIC> (0.58) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.58)