<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ON PAGE 2 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
ON PAGE 3 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000730255
<NAME> CALIFORNIA AMPLIFIER
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-01-1996
<CASH>                                           6,525
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,133
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,126
<INVENTORY>                                      8,080
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,219
<PP&E>                                          16,723
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,980
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  34,040
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,822
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        13,497
<OTHER-SE>                                      11,158 <F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    34,040
<SALES>                                         17,275
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,275
<CGS>                                           11,232
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (139)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,492
<INCOME-TAX>                                       869
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,623
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Retained Earnings
</FN>