<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BENTHOS, INC. CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS
QUARTERLY REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                         946,450
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,025,557
<ALLOWANCES>                                   194,764
<INVENTORY>                                  2,995,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,838,195
<PP&E>                                       5,863,381
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,852,582
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,079,770
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,861,519
<BONDS>                                        805,728
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        68,567
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,343,956
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,079,770
<SALES>                                      9,275,649
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,275,649
<CGS>                                        4,152,516
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,838,735
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               602,972
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                67,764
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              39,625
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,650,650
<INCOME-TAX>                                   664,717
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            985,933
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   985,933
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.08