<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF APPLIED POWER INC. FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD
ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1999
<CASH>                                           8,097
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  167,683
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,967
<INVENTORY>                                    198,737
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               413,191
<PP&E>                                         491,967
<DEPRECIATION>                                 215,595
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,578,614
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          261,960
<BONDS>                                        873,373
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,775
<OTHER-SE>                                     372,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,578,614
<SALES>                                        857,615
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               857,615
<CGS>                                          593,703
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  593,703
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,388
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 56,865
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,178
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,687
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,687
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.89