<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000049728 <NAME> IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 27,915 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 36,157 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 64,147 <PP&E> 81,266 <DEPRECIATION> 66,041 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 89,492 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 33,218 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 76 <OTHER-SE> 40,932 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 89,492 <SALES> 204,158 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 206,120 <CGS> 200,432 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,590 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,134 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,036) <INCOME-TAX> (5) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,031) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,031) <EPS-BASIC> (1.06) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.06)