<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INTERIM
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATION AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q - COMMUNICATIONS & POWER
INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001000564
<NAME> COMMUNICATIONS & POWER INDUSTRIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1996
<CASH>                                           4,804
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,950
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     49,805
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               102,068
<PP&E>                                          75,288
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 215,664
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,456
<BONDS>                                        138,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           13,575
<PREFERRED>                                          1
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                         289
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   215,664
<SALES>                                         63,467
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                63,467
<CGS>                                           45,861
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,861
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,620
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,374
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,249
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
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<NET-INCOME>                                     2,125
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0