<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,036
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      4,420
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,529
<PP&E>                                           1,233
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,761
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  14,872
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,037
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,041    
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,310
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    14,872
<SALES>                                         20,511
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,511
<CGS>                                           13,232
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,932
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   159
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   8
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,420
<INCOME-TAX>                                        60
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,360
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,360
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28