<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1997 OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                          88,524
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,653,018
<ALLOWANCES>                                   270,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,722,858
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            22,470,565
<PP&E>                                       7,507,885<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,177,324
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,306,979
<BONDS>                                      7,250,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     8,509,913
<OTHER-SE>                                   5,110,432
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                30,177,324
<SALES>                                     43,368,194
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            43,368,194
<CGS>                                       26,728,259
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               39,070,440
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             296,089
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,001,665
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,609,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,392,665
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,392,665
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.64
<FN>
Property, plant and equipment is reported net of accumulated depreciation on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet.
</FN>