<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1998
<CASH>                                          47,300         
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               21,478,582        
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,302,000        
<INVENTORY>                                 15,210,104         
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            40,993,198         
<PP&E>                                      21,667,018        
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,226,204        
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             110,245,155
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,983,174         
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        60,370    
<OTHER-SE>                                  24,665,227        
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               110,245,155
<SALES>                                     24,198,004         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            24,198,004         
<CGS>                                       13,900,846        
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               13,900,846         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,948,574        
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,779,062        
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (430,478)       
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (155,000)       
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (275,478)       
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (275,478)     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.05)