<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF 3-28-99, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED 3-28-99, OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000924774
<NAME> AMERILINK CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1999
<CASH>                                           5,959
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,321
<ALLOWANCES>                                       237
<INVENTORY>                                      2,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,573
<PP&E>                                           6,367<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,351
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,600
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,873
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,878
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,351
<SALES>                                         65,211
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                65,211
<CGS>                                           39,512
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,575
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   116
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                       877
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,223
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,223
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28
<FN>
<F1>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION ON THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
</FN>