<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