<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF EMCORE CORPORATION
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                         1,000
       
                                                                         
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                              SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                   DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                                               1,780
<SECURITIES>                                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        7,650
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         (580)
<INVENTORY>                                                         12,483
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                       290
<PP&E>                                                              58,085
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    (17,531)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      71,636
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               18,830
<BONDS>                                                             25,019
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                               21,242
<PREFERRED>                                                              0
<COMMON>                                                            87,576
<OTHER-SE>                                                        (81,031)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        72,636
<SALES>                                                             10,125
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    10,125
<CGS>                                                                6,016
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                        6,016
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   (9,351)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                     546
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                    (6,064)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                (6,064)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                                       (6,064)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       (0.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       (0.65)