<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the consolidated balance sheet and income statement of Computer Network 
Technology Corporation as of and for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       6,244,397
<SECURITIES>                                22,989,866
<RECEIVABLES>                               23,157,043
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,123,473
<INVENTORY>                                  9,233,424
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            64,749,873      
<PP&E>                                      22,215,521     
<DEPRECIATION>                              13,063,038   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              82,542,256     
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,042,300   
<BONDS>                                              0 
<COMMON>                                       231,195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  60,883,761      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                82,542,256        
<SALES>                                     17,362,317         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            22,357,311         
<CGS>                                        6,067,150         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,055,373         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,156,378<F1>      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,682      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 29,148      
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,000     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,148     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,148
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .00
<FN>

<F1> Amount Presented Represents Engineering and Development Expense.
</FN>