<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM SEC
FORM 10-K AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                      0001005229
<NAME>                  COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                               6,867
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      136,988
<ALLOWANCES>                                         2,271
<INVENTORY>                                        115,979
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   286,029
<PP&E>                                              90,004
<DEPRECIATION>                                      42,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     766,911
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              120,556
<BONDS>                                            421,686
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               146
<OTHER-SE>                                         188,528
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       766,911
<SALES>                                            735,445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   735,445
<CGS>                                              542,975
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      542,975
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   107,388
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  35,923
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     50,724
<INCOME-TAX>                                        23,288
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 27,436
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        27,436
<EPS-BASIC>                                         1.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.92