<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1998, AND THE STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWENTY SIX
WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1998 OF AMERILINK CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1998
<CASH>                                          11,448
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,736
<ALLOWANCES>                                       320
<INVENTORY>                                      1,397
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,434
<PP&E>                                           6,115<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  37,657
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,390
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        24,180
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,087
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    37,657
<SALES>                                         32,409
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,409
<CGS>                                           19,886
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,395
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    86
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,287
<INCOME-TAX>                                       504
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                783
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       783
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18
<FN>
<F1>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT IS REPORTED NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION ON THE
BALANCE SHEET.
</FN>