<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC. CORPORATION
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1995, AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,295
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,610
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,854
<PP&E>                                             873
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,483
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  11,984
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,710
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         2,985
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,008
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    11,984
<SALES>                                         12,116
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,116
<CGS>                                            8,327
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,574
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    83
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  56
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    459
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                459
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       459
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10