<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001002047
<NAME> NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-24-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-25-1997
<CASH>                                          25,578
<SECURITIES>                                     4,850
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,852
<ALLOWANCES>                                       296
<INVENTORY>                                     12,719
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,855
<PP&E>                                          15,161
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,543
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  76,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,891
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        55,814
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,597
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    76,492
<SALES>                                         33,420
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,420
<CGS>                                           13,570
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,264
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,754
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,533
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,221
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,221
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24