<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INCLUDED IN KULICKE
& SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED FOOTNOTES INCLUDED THEREIN.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          43,039
<SECURITIES>                                    49,797
<RECEIVABLES>                                  109,362
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     67,191
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               276,886
<PP&E>                                          46,859
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,227
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       157,061
<OTHER-SE>                                     151,581
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,835
<SALES>                                        243,171
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               243,171
<CGS>                                          151,839
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,839
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                67,715
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  94
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,642
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,627
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,015
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,015
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68