<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000356037 <NAME> CSP INC <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-29-1997 <PERIOD-START> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> NOV-29-1996 <CASH> 10,549 <SECURITIES> 7,477 <RECEIVABLES> 3,021 <ALLOWANCES> 103 <INVENTORY> 2,618 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,476 <PP&E> 12,644 <DEPRECIATION> 9,137 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 29,472 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,496 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 29 <OTHER-SE> 25,794 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 29,472 <SALES> 4,010 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,010 <CGS> 1,725 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,203 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (198) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5 <INCOME-TAX> (3) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.00 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.00