WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ON
PAGE 3, 4 AND 5 OF THE  COMPANY'S  FORM  10-Q FOR THE  QUARTERLY  PERIOD  ENDING
JANUARY 25, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<NAME>          HACH COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER>    1,000
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-25-1997
<CASH>                                          11,986
<SECURITIES>                                    16,149
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,930
<ALLOWANCES>                                       215
<INVENTORY>                                     12,849
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,581
<PP&E>                                          71,112
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 102,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,627
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,623
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,902
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   102,157
<SALES>                                         88,675
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                88,675
<CGS>                                           45,395
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,395
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,498
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,043
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,843
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .81
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .81