<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FARREL CORPORATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE
YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,832
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,653
<ALLOWANCES>                                       464
<INVENTORY>                                     14,187
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,187
<PP&E>                                          17,912
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  50,731
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,841
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            61
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,492
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    50,731
<SALES>                                         75,836
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,836
<CGS>                                           57,713
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,713
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,107
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   362
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 145
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    480
<INCOME-TAX>                                       154
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                326
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       326
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.05