<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EMCORE CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       

                                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                  6-MOS                                                   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                   MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                                         13,896
<SECURITIES>                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                  6,875
<ALLOWANCES>                                                   (380)
<INVENTORY>                                                    9,905
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                               30,465
<PP&E>                                                         22,482
<DEPRECIATION>                                                 (9,721)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                 43,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                          16,021
<BONDS>                                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                       45,344
<OTHER-SE>                                                     (25,372)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                   43,581
<SALES>                                                        21,520
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                               21,520
<CGS>                                                          15,579
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                  15,579
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                               8,379
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                             4,254
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                (6,692)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                            (6,692)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                (256)
<CHANGES>                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                   (6,948)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  (1.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  (1.68)