<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 JUN-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-27-1998
<CASH>                                              17,132
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      131,233
<ALLOWANCES>                                         2,186
<INVENTORY>                                        103,885
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   284,613
<PP&E>                                             116,469
<DEPRECIATION>                                      35,722
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     752,873
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               94,306
<BONDS>                                            443,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               137
<OTHER-SE>                                         176,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       752,873
<SALES>                                            168,634
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   168,634
<CGS>                                              126,234
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      126,234
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    23,521
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   8,978
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     10,163
<INCOME-TAX>                                         5,078
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  5,085
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         5,085
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .38