[ARTICLE] 5
[CIK] 0000723610
[NAME] STRATUS COMPUTER, INC
[MULTIPLIER] 1000

                             
[PERIOD-TYPE]                   3-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END]                          DEC-29-1996
[PERIOD-START]                             JAN-01-1996
[PERIOD-END]                               MAR-31-1996
[CASH]                                           77587
[SECURITIES]                                     64125
[RECEIVABLES]                                   163157
[ALLOWANCES]                                      8633
[INVENTORY]                                      70733
[CURRENT-ASSETS]                                407857
[PP&E]                                          329716
[DEPRECIATION]                                  210108
[TOTAL-ASSETS]                                  605882
[CURRENT-LIABILITIES]                           111977
[BONDS]                                           4465
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY]                                0
[PREFERRED]                                          0
[COMMON]                                           258
[OTHER-SE]                                      489181
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY]                    605882
[SALES]                                          91119
[TOTAL-REVENUES]                                142925
[CGS]                                            48057
[TOTAL-COSTS]                                   131252
[OTHER-EXPENSES]                                     0
[LOSS-PROVISION]                                     0
[INTEREST-EXPENSE]                              (1895)
[INCOME-PRETAX]                                  13568
[INCOME-TAX]                                      2985
[INCOME-CONTINUING]                              10583
[DISCONTINUED]                                       0
[EXTRAORDINARY]                                      0
[CHANGES]                                            0
[NET-INCOME]                                     10583
[EPS-PRIMARY]                                      .45
[EPS-DILUTED]                                      .45