<ARTICLE>                                   5

<LEGEND>                                    THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
                                            SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                            EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR
                                            THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 1, 1997
                                            AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
                                            BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
                                            STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<CIK>                                       0000090045
<NAME>                                      SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                1,000

       

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                         JUN-01-1997
<CASH>                                                          728
<SECURITIES>                                                  1,472
<RECEIVABLES>                                                 3,786
<ALLOWANCES>                                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                                   2,076
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                             14,131
<PP&E>                                                        7,177
<DEPRECIATION>                                                5,888
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                               16,409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                         6,844
<BONDS>                                                          31
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                             0
<PREFERRED>                                                       0
<COMMON>                                                      2,469
<OTHER-SE>                                                    6,925
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                 16,409
<SALES>                                                       9,542
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                              9,542
<CGS>                                                         7,322
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                 7,322
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                 913
<INCOME-TAX>                                                    357
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                             556
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                   0
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                    556
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                   .22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                   .22