<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPT. 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           1,343
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,067
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,510
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,387
<PP&E>                                           6,614
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,477
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,316
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,312
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,304
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,477
<SALES>                                         31,529
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                31,529
<CGS>                                           23,748
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,871
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (368)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    290
<INCOME-TAX>                                       108
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                182
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       182
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.04