<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING,
INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPT 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           1,133
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,031
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,501
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,999
<PP&E>                                           4,958
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,370
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  37,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,779
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,276
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,905
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    37,698
<SALES>                                         29,775
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,775
<CGS>                                           20,796
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,772
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (65)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    938
<INCOME-TAX>                                       356
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                582
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       582
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12