<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1999
<CASH>                                          50,948
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,690,925
<ALLOWANCES>                                   898,000
<INVENTORY>                                 16,764,656
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            38,076,355
<PP&E>                                      22,457,637
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,262,451
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             106,073,966
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,226,370
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        60,499
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,267,693
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               106,073,966
<SALES>                                     68,153,904
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            68,153,904
<CGS>                                       40,030,909
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               67,989,559
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,196,901
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (4,757,357)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (4,757,357)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (4,757,357)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.79)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.79)