<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE VIASAT
INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          12,673
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,315
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,478
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,154
<PP&E>                                           8,588
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,503
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  35,674
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,748
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      23,538
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    35,674
<SALES>                                         47,715
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,715
<CGS>                                           33,102
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   33,102
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,839
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (100)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,874
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,702
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,172
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,172
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47