<ARTICLE> 5

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   7-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-2000
<CASH>                                          50,272
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,842<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                       815
<INVENTORY>                                     19,504
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               149,356<F2>
<PP&E>                                         598,352<F3>
<DEPRECIATION>                                 202,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 623,660
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,851
<BONDS>                                        223,396<F4>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           295
<OTHER-SE>                                     284,729<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   623,660
<SALES>                                        234,540
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               234,540
<CGS>                                          158,065
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,065<F6>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,000<F7>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0<F8>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,588
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,187
<INCOME-TAX>                                       800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,387
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,387
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.05
<FN>
<F1>Gross trade receivables
<F2>Total current assets
<F3>Gross PP&E
<F4>Long-term debt
<F5>Total equity less common stock
<F6>For Photronics, this amount is COS
<F7>Operating expenses exclusive of COS, SG&A and R&D
<F8>Bad debt expense
</FN>