<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Westell
Technologies, Inc.'s Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such Form 10-K filing.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          39,287<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,119
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (521)
<INVENTORY>                                     10,416
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                81,932
<PP&E>                                          29,931
<DEPRECIATION>                                (15,293)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 108,049
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,827
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           363
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   108,049
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,385
<CGS>                                           57,832
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,965
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,221)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 330
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (24,521)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (9,820)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,701)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     (5)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,706)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>$10,850 are short term investments.
</FN>