<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC., FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-27-1998 <PERIOD-START> SEP-29-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1997 <CASH> 53,032 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,523,375 <ALLOWANCES> 1,215,000 <INVENTORY> 9,915,653 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,226,446 <PP&E> 18,995,511 <DEPRECIATION> 3,347,936 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 80,664,506 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 10,819,002 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 60,108 <OTHER-SE> 23,191,915 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 80,664,506 <SALES> 21,843,614 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 21,843,614 <CGS> 13,044,671 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,044,671 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,601,077 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 857,220 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,340,646 <INCOME-TAX> 429,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 911,646 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 911,646 <EPS-PRIMARY> .15 <EPS-DILUTED> .15