<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the financial statements of Park Electrochemical Corp. and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> year <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-03-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-03-1996 <CASH> 75,970 <SECURITIES> 67,243 <RECEIVABLES> 44,678 <ALLOWANCES> 1,857 <INVENTORY> 27,712 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 217,772 <PP&E> 148,715 <DEPRECIATION> 72,276 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 298,975 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,807 <BONDS> 100,000 <COMMON> 1,358 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 133,069 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 298,975 <SALES> 312,966 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 315,251 <CGS> 242,655 <TOTAL-COSTS> 277,891 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 96 <INCOME-PRETAX> 37,264 <INCOME-TAX> 12,366 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,898 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,898 <EPS-PRIMARY> $2.11 <EPS-DILUTED> $2.10