<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q FILED BY PLANTRONICS, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-29-1997 <PERIOD-START> MAR-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 35,732 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 37,080 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 20,401 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 99,319 <PP&E> 38,501 <DEPRECIATION> 20,499 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 122,395 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 45,190 <BONDS> 65,050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 85 <OTHER-SE> 10,989 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 122,395 <SALES> 143,014 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 143,014 <CGS> 66,420 <TOTAL-COSTS> 66,420 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 39,743 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,314 <INCOME-PRETAX> 32,755 <INCOME-TAX> 11,137 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,618 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21,618 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.43 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.43