<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000895419 <NAME> CREE RESEARCH, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-27-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUN-29-1998 <PERIOD-END> MAR-28-1999 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 53,302 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,181 <ALLOWANCES> 175 <INVENTORY> 3,880 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 72,289 <PP&E> 69,486 <DEPRECIATION> 13,315 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 131,462 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,860 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 107,407 <OTHER-SE> 13,718 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 131,462 <SALES> 42,352 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 42,352 <CGS> 22,341 <TOTAL-COSTS> 30,897 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (482) <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,937 <INCOME-TAX> 3,343 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,594 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,594 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.65 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.61