<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