<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1998
<CASH>                                       1,424,231
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,845,469
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,270,000
<INVENTORY>                                  9,557,995
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,679,482
<PP&E>                                      17,902,830
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,395,947
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              80,503,061
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       14,523,791
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        60,240
<OTHER-SE>                                  25,639,351
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                80,503,061
<SALES>                                     69,494,757
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            69,494,757
<CGS>                                       40,511,951
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               62,166,369
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,445,588
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,900,551
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,568,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,332,551
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,332,551
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .54