<ARTICLE>                                   5
<LEGEND>                                    THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS
                                            SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                            EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR
                                            THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER
                                            30, 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>                                        9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                    MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                         NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                                2,659
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                         3,146
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                           2,376
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     16,479
<PP&E>                                                7,551
<DEPRECIATION>                                        6,060
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       19,164
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 8,242
<BONDS>                                                  25
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                              3,712
<OTHER-SE>                                            7,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         19,164
<SALES>                                              32,371
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     32,371
<CGS>                                                25,134
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        25,134
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        8
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       3,099
<INCOME-TAX>                                          1,215
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   1,884
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                          1,884
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .50