<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 OF MEDISENSE, INC. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED 
IN FORM-10K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          24,114
<SECURITIES>                                    26,984
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,221
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,091
<INVENTORY>                                     14,634
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                97,214
<PP&E>                                          38,901
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,662
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,182
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,536
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           177
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      83,649
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,182
<SALES>                                        173,756
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               173,756
<CGS>                                           57,146
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,146
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                82,808
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 127
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,371
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,537
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,834
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,834
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.68