<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