<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM NOVELLUS
SYSTEMS, INC 1995 10K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          60,114
<SECURITIES>                                    89,685
<RECEIVABLES>                                  114,284
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,196
<INVENTORY>                                     36,779
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               318,163
<PP&E>                                          68,450
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 364,688
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,906
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       118,423
<OTHER-SE>                                     154,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   364,688
<SALES>                                        373,732
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               373,732
<CGS>                                          157,585
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  157,585
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               100,356
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   495
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 227
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                125,065
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,522
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             82,543
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    82,543
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.82