<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) AND NOTES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THE NINE-MONTH PER SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AS AMENDED, FILED ON APRIL 15, 1997. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000722051 <NAME> NCT GROUP, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> US DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> Year <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> Jan-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> Dec-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 1038 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 620 <ALLOWANCES> 124 <INVENTORY> 1350 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3167 <PP&E> 5416 <DEPRECIATION> 3950 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 6254 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3878 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1312 <OTHER-SE> (356) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6254 <SALES> 1069 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4840 <CGS> 1401 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1696 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 8312 <LOSS-PROVISION> 148 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1474 <INCOME-PRETAX> (6598) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6598) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6598) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.05) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.05)