<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFOMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BROOKS
AUTOMATION INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO AS OF AND
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          71,753
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,568
<ALLOWANCES>                                       160
<INVENTORY>                                     23,253
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               127,104
<PP&E>                                          28,632
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,578
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,730
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,436
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           101
<OTHER-SE>                                     134,098
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,730
<SALES>                                         86,409
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                86,409
<CGS>                                           58,395
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   27,068
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 610
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    406
<INCOME-TAX>                                       806
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                806
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       806
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10