<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
THE BIOANALYTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                          
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                3-MOS     
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                               OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             3,667
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      2,759
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                        1,931
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   8,629
<PP&E>                                            13,689
<DEPRECIATION>                                     2,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    20,166
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              2,237
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                             972
<OTHER-SE>                                        15,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      20,166
<SALES>                                            2,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   4,330
<CGS>                                                949
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      1,847
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   2,159
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    22
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      348
<INCOME-TAX>                                         152
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  196
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                         196
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        .05