<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 1, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2000 FOR GENRAD, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-01-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           6,951
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   82,763
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,487
<INVENTORY>                                     49,068
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               145,523
<PP&E>                                          84,945
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,751
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 248,639
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,013
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,877
<OTHER-SE>                                     146,958
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   248,639
<SALES>                                        232,362
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               301,948
<CGS>                                          124,114
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  166,757
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                86,089
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,374
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,771
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (277)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,494
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,494
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.60