<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 FOR GENRAD,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           9,559
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   95,469
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,776
<INVENTORY>                                     80,188
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               207,282
<PP&E>                                          98,512
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,986
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 371,448
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          107,111
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        30,318
<OTHER-SE>                                     166,104
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   371,448
<SALES>                                         63,265
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                78,581
<CGS>                                           34,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,614
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,016
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,923
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    434
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (157)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                277
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       277
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01