<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 THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED JUNE 29,1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                     120,249,000
<SECURITIES>                                26,262,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               64,765,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,853,000
<INVENTORY>                                 20,720,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           266,465,000
<PP&E>                                     315,402,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             165,094,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             425,358,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       65,879,000
<BONDS>                                     74,737,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       196,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 281,049,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               425,358,000
<SALES>                                    352,878,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           352,878,000
<CGS>                                      249,907,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              249,907,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            15,157,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,435,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,626,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             53,193,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                11,695,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         41,498,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                41,498,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.23
<FN>
<F1>OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES.
</FN>