<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE VIASAT
INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN
FORM 10-K
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          13,299
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,394
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,736
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,120
<PP&E>                                          10,208
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,472
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,355
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,811
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      26,276
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,355
<SALES>                                         30,407
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                30,407
<CGS>                                           19,872
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,872
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,069
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,779
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,378
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,378
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29