FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
                           ---------------------------

              [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                      For the Quarter Ended April 2, 1999.

                                       OR

              [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

                For the transition period from_______ to _______

                          Commission File Number 0-6866

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                Delaware                                   04-2423640        
        (State of incorporation)               (IRS Employer Identification No.)

       Mansfield Corporate Center
         Nine Hampshire Street
      Mansfield, Massachusetts                            02048-9171
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (508) 337-5111

                         -------------------------------


Indicate by checkmark  whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past ninety days.

                                 Yes [X] No [ ]

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $1 par value,
as of April 2, 1999 was 22,319,131.










                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                    Form 10-Q

                                      INDEX




                                                                           Page

Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1.         Consolidated Financial Statements

  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 2, 1999 and
         December 31, 1998...................................................3

  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month Periods
         Ended April 2, 1999 and March 27, 1998..............................4

  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month
         Periods Ended April 2, 1999 and March 27, 1998......................5

  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three-Month
         Periods Ended April 2, 1999 and March 27, 1998......................6

  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................7-9


  Item 2.         Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations..........10-14

  Item 3.         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
                  Market Risk ..............................................14


Part II.   OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 4.         Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.......15

  Item 6 (a).     Exhibits..................................................16

  Item 6 (b).     Reports on Form 8-K.......................................16


  Signature.................................................................17







                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Apr. 2, 1999   Dec. 31, 1998
(in thousands except per share data)                             (unaudited)     (audited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current:
                                                                                 
Cash and cash equivalents                                         $   6,535       $  8,843
Investments (Note 2)                                                 18,321         18,152
Receivables - net of allowances                                      13,555          9,783
Inventories  (Note 3)                                                14,848         14,811
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)                                        5,157          5,157
Other current assets                                                  1,291          1,106
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets                                                 59,707         57,852
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment at cost                                37,051         36,691
    Less:  accumulated depreciation                                 (26,790)       (25,990)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment                                    10,261         10,701
Other assets                                                          7,973          7,099
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                      $  77,941       $ 75,652
============================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current:
Accounts payable                                                  $   5,501       $  3,752
Payroll and compensation                                              3,404          2,884
Retirement costs                                                      3,862          3,588
Income taxes (Note 4)                                                 1,042            507
Other accrued liabilities (Note 6)                                    1,295          1,553
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities                                            15,104         12,284
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments                                                               -              -
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; authorized
  2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: none                          -              -
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000
  shares; issued and outstanding:  22,319,131 in 1999
  and 1998                                                           22,319         22,319
Capital in excess of par value                                        7,970          7,936
Treasury stock, $1 par value (27,892 shares in 1999 and
 34,000 shares in 1998)                                                (359)          (438)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                           412           (359)
Retained earnings                                                    32,495         33,910
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                           62,837         63,368
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                        $  77,941       $ 75,652
============================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





                                     Page 3





                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

                                   (unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                             Three Months Ended
(in thousands except per share data)                   Apr. 2, 1999      Mar. 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     
Net sales                                                 $25,900          $31,494

Costs and expenses:
    Cost of sales                                          15,111           16,792
    Research and development                                2,066            3,187
    Selling, general and administrative                     7,157            7,179
    Merger and special charges (Note 6)                         -            1,515
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           24,334           28,673
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income                                            1,566            2,821

Joint venture income                                          137              372
Interest and other income                                     236              335
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes                                         1,939            3,528
Income taxes (Note 4)                                        (679)          (1,662)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                $ 1,260          $ 1,866
=======================================================================================

Net income per share:
    Basic (Note 5)                                        $  0.06          $  0.08
    Diluted (Note 5)                                      $  0.06          $  0.08
=======================================================================================

Number of shares used in per share calculations:
    Basic (Note 5)                                         22,307           22,215
    Diluted (Note 5)                                       22,472           22,373
=======================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.





                                     Page 4







                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (unaudited)


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Three Months Ended
(in thousands)                                                Apr. 2, 1999   Mar. 27, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
                                                                              
     Net income                                                 $ 1,260        $  1,866
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
       cash provided (used) by operating activities:
     Amortization of deferred compensation                            -             674
     Depreciation                                                 1,022             987
     Other                                                            8            (360)
     Net change in operating assets and liabilities (A)          (1,175)          2,247
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                         1,115           5,414
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                          (582)           (846)
     Purchase of investments                                     (3,828)        (35,419)
     Sale of investments                                          3,661          10,073
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by investing activities                              (749)        (26,192)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Net cash provided by employee stock plans                        -              37
     Cash dividends paid                                         (2,674)         (4,164)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities                            (2,674)         (4,127)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                            (2,308)        (24,905)
Cash and cash equivalents, at the beginning of the period         8,843          34,717
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the period             $ 6,535        $  9,812
==========================================================================================

(A) Change in operating assets and liabilities:
       (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable               $(3,772)       $  1,235
       (Increase)/decrease in inventories                           (37)         (1,033)
       (Increase)/decrease in other current assets                 (185)            (87)
       Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable                    1,749           1,055
       Increase/(decrease) in other accrued expenses              1,070           1,077
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net change in operating assets and liabilities           $(1,175)       $  2,247
==========================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                     Page 5







                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                                  (unaudited)

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Three Months Ended
(in thousands)                                                    Apr. 2, 1999    Mar. 27, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
Net income                                                           $1,260          $1,866
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
     Foreign currency translation adjustment                          1,223            (464)
     Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment                     1               8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax                         1,224            (456)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income              (453)            102
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                           771            (354)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                                 $2,031          $1,512
================================================================================================




                                     Page 6








                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation 
- ------------------------------

In  the  opinion  of  the  Company,  the  accompanying   consolidated  financial
statements for the periods ended April 2, 1999, and March 27, 1998,  contain all
adjustments  (consisting  only of normal  recurring  adjustments)  necessary  to
present  fairly the  financial  position as of April 2, 1999,  and  December 31,
1998,  and the results of operations  and cash flows for the periods ended April
2, 1999, and March 27, 1998. In May 1998, the Company  completed the acquisition
of  Granville-Phillips  Company (GPC).  The  acquisition  was accounted for as a
pooling of interests under Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 16 (see Note
6). All prior period  consolidated  financial  statements  have been restated to
include the financial  position,  results of operations and cash flows of GPC as
though it had been part of the Company for all periods presented.

The results of operations  for the  three-month  period ended April 2, 1999, are
not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.

The consolidated  financial statements included herein have been prepared by the
Company, without audit of the three-month periods ended April 2, 1999, and March
27, 1998,  pursuant to the rules and  regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.  Certain information and footnote  disclosures  normally included in
financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles   have  been  condensed  or  omitted   pursuant  to  such  rules  and
regulations,  although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to
present fairly the Company's financial position and results of operations. These
consolidated  financial  statements  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the
financial  statements  and the notes thereto  included in the  Company's  latest
annual report on Form 10-K.

Note 2 - Investments
- --------------------

The Company had  investments of $18,321,000 and $18,152,000 as of April 2, 1999,
and  December  31,  1998,  respectively.  The  investments  were  classified  as
"available-for-sale,"  and the  difference  in the cost and fair  value of these
investments is immaterial and was included in other comprehensive income.

Note 3 - Inventories
- --------------------

(in thousands)                    Apr. 2, 1999           Dec. 31, 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods                     $ 3,407                 $ 3,067
Work in process                      7,693                   7,597
Materials and parts                  3,748                   4,147
                                  ------------------------------------
                                   $14,848                 $14,811
                                  ====================================

Inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in,  first-out
basis.







                                     Page 7





                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 4 - Income Taxes
- ---------------------

The net federal,  state and foreign  income tax  provisions was $679,000 for the
three-month period ended April 2, 1999 and $1,662,000 for the three-month period
ended  March 27,  1998.  Tax credits  are  treated as  reductions  of income tax
provisions in the year in which the credits are  realized.  The Company does not
provide  for federal income  taxes on the  undistributed  earnings of its wholly
owned foreign subsidiaries, since these earnings are indefinitely reinvested.

The effective  income tax rate for the three-month  periods ended April 2, 1999,
and March 27, 1998, was 35% and 47.1%,  respectively.  The effective tax benefit
for the three-month period ended March 27, 1998 was unfavorably  impacted by the
merger and special charges which are not fully deductible for tax purposes.

The major  components of deferred tax assets are compensation and benefit plans,
inventory  valuation,   net  operating  loss  and  tax  credit  carry  forwards,
respectively.  Based on past  experience,  the Company  expects  that the future
taxable  income will be  sufficient  for the  realization  of the  deferred  tax
assets. The Company believes that a valuation allowance is not required.

Note 5 - Net Income Per Share
- -----------------------------

Basic net income per common  share is based on the  weighted  average  number of
common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share
reflects the potential  dilution that could occur if  outstanding  stock options
were exercised.

The following  table sets forth the  computation of basic and diluted net income
per common share:

                                                    Three Months Ended
(in thousands except per share data)            Apr. 2, 1999     Mar. 27, 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                       $ 1,260           $  1,866
                                                ==============================

Basic shares                                      22,307             22,215
Add:    Common equivalent shares (1)                 165                158
                                                ------------------------------
Diluted shares                                    22,472             22,373
                                                ==============================

Basic net income per share                       $  0.06           $   0.08
                                                ==============================

Diluted net income per share                     $  0.06           $   0.08
                                                ==============================

     (1) Common  equivalent  shares represent shares issuable upon conversion of
stock  options  (using the  treasury  stock  method).  Options  outstanding  not
included in the  computation of diluted shares were 597,500 as of April 2, 1999,
and 210,000 as of March 27, 1998,  because the option price was greater than the
average market price of the common shares.


                                     Page 8


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 6 - Merger, Restructuring and Special Charges
- --------------------------------------------------

In the second quarter of 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips  Company
(GPC) in a  transaction  accounted  for as a pooling of  interests.  The Company
issued  2,382,925  shares of common  stock for all of the  common  stock of GPC.
Direct  acquisition  costs,  primarily  compensation  expense relating to shares
issued  to  certain  GPC  employees  as part of a  restricted  stock  plan,  and
professional  fees  amounted to $3.5 million in 1998, of which $1.5 million were
incurred in the first  quarter of 1998 and were  charged  against the results of
operations.

During the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded  restructuring  and other
special charges of $2.5 million.  The charges primarily included  provisions for
termination benefits of $1.3 million for approximately 80 personnel,  exit costs
related to a leased facility of $1.0 million and $0.2 million for the impairment
of certain  assets.  As of April 2, 1999,  $0.6  million  of  restructuring  and
special charges remained in other accrued expenses, which the Company expects to
be paid or amortized by the third quarter of 1999.

Note 7 - New Accounting Pronouncements
- --------------------------------------

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging
Activities."  The  adoption of this  Standard in 2000 is not  expected to have a
material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.








                                     Page 9


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations


On May 7, 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips Company (GPC). GPC is a
world leader in the development and  manufacture of  instrumentation  for vacuum
measurement  and  control  used  principally  in the  semiconductor,  flat panel
display and disk drive  manufacturing  processes.  The transaction was accounted
for as a pooling of interests;  and  accordingly,  the financial  results of the
Company for the period ended March 27, 1998 includes financial position, results
of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows of GPC.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

Net sales for the first  quarter of 1999 were $25.9  million,  $5.6 million less
than the $31.5 million for the first quarter of 1998, and $6.3 million more than
the $19.6  million  for the  fourth  quarter of 1998.  A slowdown  in the global
market for  semiconductor  capital  equipment  began in late 1997 and  continued
throughout most of 1998.  Signs of a  strengthening  market are reflected in the
sequential net sales growth in the first quarter of 1999.

Gross profit  percentage  for the first quarter of 1999 was 41.7%  compared with
46.7% for the first  quarter of 1998 and 37.6% for the  fourth  quarter of 1998.
The changes in the gross profit  percentage is directly  attributable to changes
in net sales  volume  and  related  production  levels  and the  impact of fixed
manufacturing costs.

Research and development  expenditures were $2.1 million for the quarter or 8.0%
of net sales  compared to $3.2 million or 10.1% of net sales for the same period
last year. As industry  conditions  worsened  during 1998,  the Company  delayed
certain  expenditures  on  projects  it believed  were not  critical  during the
downturn.  The Company continues to fund its strategic  development programs and
is  selectively  adjusting  its  spending  on other  programs to be in line with
industry conditions, positioning the Company for growth as the economics improve
in  the  worldwide   semiconductor   industry.   Total   Selling,   general  and
administrative  expense  increased by $0.4 million in the first quarter compared
to the same period in 1998,  primarily due to the higher  variable  compensation
expense.

Operating  income in the first quarter of 1999 decreased  $1.3 million  compared
with the first  quarter  of 1998 due to lower net sales in the first  quarter of
1999, offset by merger and special charges of $1.5 million incurred in the first
quarter of 1998.  Operating  income for the first  quarter  was also  positively
impacted by the restructuring that the Company undertook in the third quarter of
1998.   The  Company   restructured   its  domestic   operations   to  eliminate
non-strategic  spending  while  redirecting  resources to the  Company's  global
customer support structure and other strategic  initiatives and took a charge of
$2.5 million  during the third quarter of 1998.  The Company  expects that these
changes will provide  approximately $5.0 million of annual cost savings in 1999.
At April 2, 1999, $0.6 million of restructuring  and special charges remained in
other accrued expenses, which the Company expects to be paid or amortized by the
end of the third quarter of 1999.





                                     Page 10






                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Results of Operations (continued)
- ---------------------

For the first  quarter of 1999,  the Company had a pretax income of $1.9 million
resulting in a tax  provision of $0.7 million  compared to pretax income of $3.5
million and a  provision  of $1.7  million  for the same period a year ago.  The
effective tax rate for the periods ended April 2, 1999,  and March 27, 1998, was
35% and 47.1%,  respectively.  The tax rate in 1998 was unfavorably  impacted by
merger and special charges, which are not fully deductible for tax purposes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

Cash  provided by  operating  activities  for the first three months of 1999 was
$1.1  million  compared  with $5.4  million for the  comparable  period in 1998,
primarily due to changes in accounts receivable. Accounts receivables at the end
of the first quarter of 1999 were $3.7 million higher than the December 31, 1998
balance  because of the $6.3 million  sequential  quarterly net sales  increase.
Conversely,  accounts  receivables  at the end of the first quarter of 1998 were
$1.2  million  lower than the  December  31,  1997  balance  because of the $9.2
million sequential quarterly net sales decrease.

Cash used by investing  activities  decreased by $25.5 million  during the first
three  months  of 1999  compared  with the same  period  last  year,  due to the
purchase of available-for-sale investments comprised primarily of short-term tax
exempt securities, which occurred during the first quarter of 1998.

Cash dividends paid to  stockholders  during the first three months of 1999 were
$2.7 million  compared with $4.2 million  during the first three months of 1998.
The quarterly  cash dividend was reduced to $0.12 per common share  beginning in
October  1998,  compared to $0.21 per common share paid in the first  quarter of
1998.

On April 29, 1999, the Board of Directors  declared a quarterly cash dividend of
$0.12 per common share. The dividend is payable on May 19, 1999, to stockholders
of record at the close of business May 5, 1999.

The Company  manages its foreign  exchange  rate risk arising from  intercompany
foreign currency  denominated  transactions  through the use of foreign currency
forward contracts. The gains and losses on these transactions were not material.

The Company believes that existing cash and investment balances will be adequate
to fund  operations  through  1999 and  that it has  opportunities  to  consider
further financing options should additional funds be required.

New Accounting Pronouncements
- -----------------------------

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133 (SFAS 133),  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging  Activities."  The adoption of this Standard in 2000 is not expected
to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.





                                     Page 11






                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)


Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
- ----------------------------------------------

From time to time,  information provided by the Company,  statements made by its
employees  or  information  included  in its  filings  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission may contain  statements  that are not historical  facts but
that are  "forward-looking  statements"  involving risks and  uncertainties.  In
particular,  statements in  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations"  relating to the Company's shipment levels,
profitability,  sufficiency  of  capital to meet  working  capital  and  capital
expenditure requirements may be forward-looking  statements. The words "expect,"
"anticipate,"  "internal,"  "plan,"  "believe,"  "seek,"  "estimate" and similar
expressions  areintended  to  identify  such  forward-looking  statements.  Such
statements are not guarantees of future  performance  and involve certain risks,
uncertainties  and assumptions  that could cause the Company's future results to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by
or on behalf of the Company.  Many such factors are beyond the Company's ability
to control or predict.  Readers  are  accordingly  cautioned  not to place undue
reliance on  forward-looking  statements.  The Company  disclaims  any intent or
obligation  to  update  publicly  any  forward-looking  statements,  whether  in
response to new  information  or future events or otherwise.  Important  factors
that may cause the Company's actual results to differ from such  forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below.

The Company's  business  depends in large part upon the capital  expenditures of
semiconductor  manufacturers,   which,  in  turn,  depend  on  the  current  and
anticipated  market  demand  for  integrated  circuits  and  products  utilizing
integrated  circuits.  The  semiconductor  industry is highly  cyclical  and has
historically  experienced periodic downturns,  which generally have had a severe
effect on the  semiconductor  industry's  demand for capital  equipment and have
affected the Company's  results of  operations.  There can be no assurance  that
developments  in  the  semiconductor  industry  or the  semiconductor  equipment
industry will occur at the rate or in the manner expected by the Company.

In addition to the cyclical nature, risks and uncertainties of the semiconductor
industry,  the Company faces the following risks and uncertainties:  the need to
continuously develop, manufacture and gain customers' acceptance of new products
and product  enhancements;  dependence  on a limited  number of  customers;  its
ability to attract and retain certain key personnel;  the ability of the Company
to protect its technology assets by obtaining and enforcing patents;  dependence
on sole and limited source  suppliers for certain  components and  subassemblies
included in the Company's products and systems. As a result of the foregoing and
other factors,  the Company may experience  material  fluctuations in its future
operating  results on a quarterly or annual basis which could materially  affect
its business, financial position, results of operations and stock price.



                                     Page 12


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)


Year 2000
- ---------

The Year 2000 problem  refers to the  potential  for  information  systems to be
unable to correctly  recognize  and process  calendar  dates and  date-sensitive
information  involving  dates  on or after  January  1,  2000.  The  Company  is
addressing  its Year 2000 risk within  four  categories:  1)  internal  business
software,  2) internal  systems  (hardware and  software,  exclusive of business
software),  3) external  suppliers of goods and  services,  and 4) the Company's
products.

INTERNAL  BUSINESS  SOFTWARE.  The  Company's  internal  business  systems  that
collectively  provide the major processing  functions for its operations are not
Year 2000 compliant. The  remediation/replacement  of those systems was begun in
mid-1998 and will be completed in May 1999.

INTERNAL  SYSTEMS.  The Company  utilizes  other systems  (exclusive of business
systems   discussed  above)  to  perform  certain  data  processing,   including
computer-based programs,  networking equipment,  laboratory equipment,  building
security and atmosphere  control  systems,  fax and copy  machines,  and others.
Starting in the first  quarter of 1998,  the Company  initiated a  comprehensive
program to address Year 2000 problems with such internal systems, consisting of:
forming a project team of representatives from across the Company;  inventorying
and  assessing  each  internal  system to determine  whether it was compliant or
non-compliant  to Year 2000  problems;  and  developing  a plan to  address  all
non-compliant systems.

The  Company is on  schedule  with its  remediation  efforts  and  expects to be
completed by June 1999.  Testing of each remediated  initial system is performed
at the time of such remediation. Additional testing will be performed during the
second  half of 1999,  focusing  on those  systems  classified  as high  risk of
failure as well as critical to the business.  Independent organizations might be
employed  to assist  the  Company  as needed to test and  verify  such  internal
systems are Year 2000 compliant.

EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES.  Starting in January 1998, the Company
undertook a program to  understand  and mitigate  Year 2000  problems with those
external suppliers who are crucial to the Company's operations,  including parts
providers,   carriers,   telecommunications  providers,   utilities,   financial
institutions  and  others.  A series  of  questionnaires  was  sent to  external
suppliers.  As a result,  the Company has  determined  that the  majority of the
Company's  suppliers are either Year 2000  compliant or are aware of the problem
and have an active program  underway to address their particular  problems.  For
each  supplier  who is not Year  2000  compliant,  the  Company  has  defined  a
contingency  plan in case the supplier  cannot or will not resolve its Year 2000
problems in a timely  manner.  The plan  elements  differ for each  supplier but
generally consist of one or more actions such as: work with the supplier to help
resolve their Year 2000 problems;  develop alternative suppliers for sole-source
components;  redesign products to negate the need for  non-compliant  suppliers;
maintain back-up inventories of critical components to protect against temporary
disruptions  in supply;  evaluate  alternative  component  and product  delivery
mechanisms;  and monitor  those  suppliers  who have  active Year 2000  programs
underway to verify progress against those suppliers' scheduled milestones.







                                     Page 13


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                     PART I

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)


Year 2000 (Continued)
- ---------------------

The Company will continue these  monitoring  activities until satisfied that all
crucial suppliers are Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the Company has enhanced
its new supplier  qualification process to require new suppliers to be Year 2000
compliant in all aspects of their operations and products.

THE COMPANY'S  PRODUCTS.  Certain of the  Company's  products  contain  embedded
software.  In 1997, the Company  performed an assessment of all such software to
determine Year 2000 compliance. As a result, the Company believes that there are
no material  issues  regarding  the use of its  products.  The Company  also has
enhanced its product  development  and testing  processes to ensure that all new
products are Year 2000 compliant.

The Company  estimates that the total cost  associated  with addressing the Year
2000 problem is approximately $0.9 million,  of which approximately $0.8 million
has been incurred to date. Of the total cost, approximately $0.8 million relates
to new  systems  and has  been  capitalized,  and the  remainder  has or will be
expensed as incurred. These cost estimates are approximate and subject to change
due to unforeseen internal or external conditions.

While  the  Company  believes  that it is  addressing  all  material  Year  2000
problems,  there are a number of risks  associated  with Year 2000, only some of
which are within the  control of the  Company.  These risks  include  unforeseen
difficulties in completing certain Year 2000 programs,  an incomplete  inventory
of internal  systems,  and the failure of one or more  suppliers  to  adequately
address the Year 2000 problem. The Company's Year 2000 efforts are meant to help
manage and mitigate these risks.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no significant  changes in the Company's  market risks since the
year ended December 31, 1998. For more information  please read the consolidated
financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K.

                                    Page 14




                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

                  The Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April
                  29, 1999.  Proposal I submitted to a vote of security  holders
                  at the meeting was the election of  Directors.  The  following
                  Directors,  being all the Directors of the  Corporation,  were
                  elected at the meeting, with the number of votes cast for each
                  Director or withheld from each Director  being set forth after
                  his respective name:

                  Name                       Votes For          Votes Withheld
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  Arthur R. Buckland         19,317,107               329,723
                  Matthew O. Diggs, Jr.      19,326,990               319,840
                  Frank Gabron               19,224,520               422,310
                  Robert H. Hayes            19,222,064               424,766
                  Robert J. Lepofsky         19,329,061               317,769
                  Marvin G. Schorr           19,213,837               432,993
                  Mark S. Wrighton           19,330,159               316,671

                  No abstentions or broker non-votes were recorded.

                  Proposal II  submitted  to a vote of  security  holders at the
                  meeting  was an  amendment  of the  Company's  Certificate  of
                  Incorporation  to divide the Board of Directors of the Company
                  into three classes. Votes cast were as follows:

                  For             Against        Abstain          Non-Vote
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  6,708,248       8,923,037      63,989           3,951,556

                  The proposal was not approved.

                  Proposal III  submitted  to a vote of security  holders at the
                  meeting   was    ratification    of   the    appointment    of
                  PricewaterhouseCoopers   LLP,  as  the  Company's  independent
                  accountants for fiscal year 1999.

                  For             Against        Abstain
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  19,569,041      26,272         51,517

                  The proposal was approved.




                                     Page 15



                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6(a).        Exhibits

                  4A      Description  of  Common Stock (incorporated herein, by
                          reference  to  Exhibit  3 to the  Form  10-Q  for  the
                          quarter ended September 30, 1988).

                  4B      Description  of  Preferred Stock (incorporated herein,
                          by reference to Exhibit 3 to the  Form  10-Q  for  the
                          quarter ended September 30, 1988).

                  10.1    Employment  agreement dated February 11, 1999, between
                          the Company and Robert J. Lepofsky.

                  27.1    Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)

                  27.2    Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)

Item 6(b).        Reports on Form 8-K

                  No Form 8-K was required to be filed during the quarter  ended
                  April 2, 1999.






                                     Page 16


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




                                               HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                                                         (Registrant)





May 10, 1999                                By: /s/Michael El-Hillow
- --------------------                           --------------------------------
Date                                           Michael El-Hillow
                                               Senior Vice President
                                               Chief Financial Officer





                                     Page 17