<ARTICLE> 5
       
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN A. T. CROSS COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          50,276
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,530
<INVENTORY>                                     27,107
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               109,734
<PP&E>                                         105,958
<DEPRECIATION>                                  65,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 165,071
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,296
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,093
<OTHER-SE>                                     110,098
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   165,071
<SALES>                                         36,796
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                37,325
<CGS>                                           19,090
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,917
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     9
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  69
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,240
<INCOME-TAX>                                       434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                806
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       806
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05