<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