<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF 3-29-98, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED 3-29-98, OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND 
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1998
<CASH>                                           8,723
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,119
<ALLOWANCES>                                       234
<INVENTORY>                                      1,656
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,757
<PP&E>                                           7,585<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,528
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,208
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,017
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,303
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,528
<SALES>                                         85,646
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                85,646
<CGS>                                           52,616
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   77,799
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 188
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,659
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,073
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,586
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,586
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15
<FN>
<F1>PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 
ON THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>