<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF 
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED 
MARCH 24, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-25-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-24-1996
<CASH>                                      18,535,000
<SECURITIES>                                 2,061,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               46,180,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,161,000
<INVENTORY>                                 18,789,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            89,632,000
<PP&E>                                     242,916,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             128,211,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             212,372,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       50,197,000
<BONDS>                                     30,680,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       109,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 126,886,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               212,372,000
<SALES>                                    169,878,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           169,878,000
<CGS>                                      130,555,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              130,555,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,803,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               986,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             887,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,222,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,028,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,194,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,194,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses reflect Research and Development expenses.
</FN>