<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-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-04-1999
<CASH>                                               3,484
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      135,797
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                        114,127
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   284,161
<PP&E>                                             135,710
<DEPRECIATION>                                      45,271
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     765,339
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              107,186
<BONDS>                                            426,248
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               147
<OTHER-SE>                                         195,125
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       765,339
<SALES>                                            181,601
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   181,601
<CGS>                                              134,489
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      134,489
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    26,247
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   8,279
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     12,833
<INCOME-TAX>                                         6,439
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  6,394
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         6,394
<EPS-BASIC>                                          .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .45