<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INTERIM
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q--COMMUNICATIONS & POWER
INDUSTRIES HOLDING CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 3, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001000654
<NAME> COMM. & POWER IND. HOLDING CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1997
<CASH>                                           4,184
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,495
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     48,938
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                99,479
<PP&E>                                          80,987
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 220,089
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,261
<BONDS>                                        133,800
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           15,476
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                     (8,629)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   220,089
<SALES>                                         55,322
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                55,322
<CGS>                                           42,466
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,466
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,893
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,315)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,315)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,315)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0