<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE EXIDE
ELECTRONICS GROUP, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF
MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       

                                    
<MULTIPLIER>                            1000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                          OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                            MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         5882
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                123580
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                  107770
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             261261
<PP&E>                                        90024
<DEPRECIATION>                                39651
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               508150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        125786
<BONDS>                                      259411
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                   18028
<COMMON>                                        104
<OTHER-SE>                                   109573
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 508150
<SALES>                                      131478
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             184991
<CGS>                                        134090
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                177658
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              11621
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             8932
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (13194)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (4616)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (8578)
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (8578)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.93)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.93)