<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMTION EXTRACTED FROM SEC FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0001005229 <NAME> COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000 <CASH> 5,446 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 145,923 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 111,406 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 312,658 <PP&E> 147,195 <DEPRECIATION> 59,046 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 766,232 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 101,722 <BONDS> 418,750 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 149 <OTHER-SE> 208,689 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 766,232 <SALES> 377,372 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 377,372 <CGS> 285,168 <TOTAL-COSTS> 285,168 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 53,146 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,991 <INCOME-PRETAX> 21,679 <INCOME-TAX> 11,345 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,334 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 10,334 <EPS-BASIC> .72 <EPS-DILUTED> .72