<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ACRES GAMING
INCORPORATED FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       6,250,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,552,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (132,000)
<INVENTORY>                                  4,309,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            15,205,000
<PP&E>                                       3,019,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,627,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              16,987,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,079,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    19,366,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 (4,458,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                16,987,000
<SALES>                                     12,243,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,243,000
<CGS>                                        5,414,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,093,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (119,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,855,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,855,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,855,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .32