<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 28, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-26-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-28-1999 <CASH> 63,927 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,482,101 <ALLOWANCES> 1,307,000 <INVENTORY> 14,874,038 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 38,336,021 <PP&E> 21,782,790 <DEPRECIATION> 6,699,995 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 106,749,304 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,925,597 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 60,488 <OTHER-SE> 22,739,613 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 106,749,304 <SALES> 46,952,695 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 46,952,695 <CGS> 27,125,435 <TOTAL-COSTS> 46,306,719 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 85,810 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,405,169 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,511,877) <INCOME-TAX> (904,000) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,607,887) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,607,887) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.27) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.27)