<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S.DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-28-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-29-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 95,090 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 8,943,614 <ALLOWANCES> 274,900 <INVENTORY> 7,205,510 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 18,877,776 <PP&E> 11,429,689 <DEPRECIATION> 1,920,556 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 47,867,024 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,430,303 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 59,549 <OTHER-SE> 21,495,160 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 47,867,024 <SALES> 14,108,819 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,108,819 <CGS> 8,529,249 <TOTAL-COSTS> 8,529,249 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,042,082 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 379,237 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,158,251 <INCOME-TAX> 382,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 776,251 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 776,251 <EPS-PRIMARY> .13 <EPS-DILUTED> .13