<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BENTHOS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,572
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,353
<ALLOWANCES>                                       170
<INVENTORY>                                      3,044
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,757
<PP&E>                                           6,296
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  10,857
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,156
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           109
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,592
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    10,857
<SALES>                                          3,835
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,835
<CGS>                                            2,344
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      905
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   285
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     3
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    337
<INCOME-TAX>                                       121
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                216
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       216
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .16<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .16<F1>
<FN>
<F1>THE EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SFAS
NO. 128 AND BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE HAVE BEEN ENTERED IN PLACE OF
PRIMARY AND FULLY DILUTED, RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>