<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 30, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                     143,993,000
<SECURITIES>                                20,262,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               62,133,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,283,000
<INVENTORY>                                 17,860,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           270,436,000
<PP&E>                                     294,753,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             157,491,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             415,121,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       69,183,000
<BONDS>                                     74,937,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       195,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 267,290,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               415,121,000
<SALES>                                    231,165,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           231,165,000
<CGS>                                      161,373,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              161,373,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            10,486,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,278,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,867,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             35,640,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,840,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         27,800,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                27,800,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.56
<FN>
<F1>OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
EXPENSES.
</FN>