<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 29, 2000, 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-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                     MAY-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                       JUL-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1
<CASH>                                                            19679
<SECURITIES>                                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    134746
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                                       29106
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 192030
<PP&E>                                                           241870
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (122667)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   414561
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            154505
<BONDS>                                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                                           0
<COMMON>                                                            955
<OTHER-SE>                                                       246503
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     414561
<SALES>                                                           53073
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 167664
<CGS>                                                             21623
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     97500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  47979
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   21960
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       8800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               13160
<DISCONTINUED>                                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0
<CHANGES>                                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      13160
<EPS-BASIC>                                                      0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      0.40