<ARTICLE>                                          5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the financial
statements for National Computer Systems, Inc. and Subsidiaries, for
the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                                      1000
<CURRENCY>                                         U.S. Dollars
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                     FEB-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                       APR-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1
<CASH>                                                          17,090
<SECURITIES>                                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                   90,471
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                                     28,484
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               142,753
<PP&E>                                                         207,593
<DEPRECIATION>                                                (109,030)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 314,268
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                           97,692
<BONDS>                                                         11,363
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                0
<PREFERRED>                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                           932
<OTHER-SE>                                                     198,713
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   314,268
<SALES>                                                         36,508
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                97,915
<CGS>                                                           16,014
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                   60,393
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                28,561
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 318
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                  8,495
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     3,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                              5,095
<DISCONTINUED>                                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                     5,095
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     0.16