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
PAGES 3, 4 AND 5 OF THE  COMPANY'S  FORM 10-Q FOR THE  QUARTERLY  PERIOD  ENDING
AUGUST 2, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<NAME>                        HACH COMPANY             
<MULTIPLIER>                         1,000
       
                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                 MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                               9,626 
<SECURITIES>                         1,488
<RECEIVABLES>                       17,754
<ALLOWANCES>                           249
<INVENTORY>                         12,006
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    44,445
<PP&E>                              73,554
<DEPRECIATION>                      43,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      77,926
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               14,050
<BONDS>                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                    0
<PREFERRED>                              0
<COMMON>                            11,623
<OTHER-SE>                          18,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        77,926
<SALES>                             32,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    32,414
<CGS>                               16,551
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       16,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    11,053
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      5,150
<INCOME-TAX>                         1,830
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  3,320
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                         3,320
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                          .32