<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE 1997 ANNUAL REPORT
ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001036262
<NAME> INTEST CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> USD
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,035
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,058
<ALLOWANCES>                                       144
<INVENTORY>                                      1,649
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,043
<PP&E>                                           1,308
<DEPRECIATION>                                     831
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  19,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,388
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,498
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    19,945
<SALES>                                         20,746
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,746
<CGS>                                            7,808
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,751
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    74
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    61
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  15
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,447
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,090
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,357
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,332
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .73