<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 29, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                        SURGICAL LASER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                       FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE (UNAUDITED)
                      (In thousands, except per share data)
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-29-1998 
<CASH>                                         $1,363
<SECURITIES>                                    5,308 
<RECEIVABLES>                                   1,813 
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (152) 
<INVENTORY>                                     2,935 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               11,668 
<PP&E>                                         14,265 
<DEPRECIATION>                                (7,602) 
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 19,519 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           2,610 
<BONDS>                                         6,517 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                           99 
<OTHER-SE>                                     10,809 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   19,519 
<SALES>                                         2,367 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                2,367 
<CGS>                                           1,041 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,041 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                1,802 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   11 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 69 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (458) 
<INCOME-TAX>                                        3 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (461) 
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0 
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    (461) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.05) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.05)