<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>                                     AUG-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                       OCT-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                    1
<CASH>                                                            33047
<SECURITIES>                                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    124443
<ALLOWANCES>                                                          0
<INVENTORY>                                                       35613
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   9898
<PP&E>                                                           249772
<DEPRECIATION>                                                  (126947)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   425063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            156838
<BONDS>                                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                                           0
<COMMON>                                                            957
<OTHER-SE>                                                       255671
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     425063
<SALES>                                                           54312
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 162920
<CGS>                                                             35138
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    101897
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  44800
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  158
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   16068
<INCOME-TAX>                                                       6500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                9568
<DISCONTINUED>                                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                       0
<CHANGES>                                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       9568
<EPS-BASIC>                                                      0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                      0.29