<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000909326
<NAME> ASYST TECHNOLOGIES INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          10,735
<SECURITIES>                                     1,010
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,878
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,083
<INVENTORY>                                     32,302
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                92,052
<PP&E>                                          19,008
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,362
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 104,034
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,772
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        62,808
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,454
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   104,034
<SALES>                                         42,292
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,292
<CGS>                                           25,886
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,886
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,508
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.60