<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 THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 29,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1996
<CASH>                                      54,482,000
<SECURITIES>                                 3,169,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               61,453,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,781,000
<INVENTORY>                                 15,383,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           154,860,000
<PP&E>                                     276,094,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             150,225,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             289,532,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       62,117,000
<BONDS>                                     76,845,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       109,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 144,928,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               289,532,000
<SALES>                                    106,906,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           106,906,000
<CGS>                                       75,794,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               75,794,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             5,739,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               711,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             858,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,903,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,786,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         11,117,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                11,117,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.95
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses reflect research and development expenses.
</FN>