<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