<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED MARCH 26, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-24-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-27-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-26-2000
<CASH>                                     110,520,000
<SECURITIES>                               129,022,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               48,462,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,667,000
<INVENTORY>                                 39,918,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           351,284,000
<PP&E>                                     614,565,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             307,627,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             697,403,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       64,720,000
<BONDS>                                    213,587,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       248,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 412,729,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               697,403,000
<SALES>                                    234,760,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           234,760,000
<CGS>                                      222,335,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              222,335,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,178,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,109,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,489,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (69,694,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (17,424,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (52,270,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (52,270,000)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    ($2.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  ($2.11)
<FN>
<F1>Other Expenses reflect research and development expenses.
</FN>