<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)