WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) C.P.
CLARE CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 29, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 
<NAME> C.P. CLARE CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          35,785
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     21,114
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,148
<PP&E>                                          35,520
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 116,359
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           29,948
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               90
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   116,359
<SALES>                                         95,431
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                           63,437
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,669
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   100
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 349
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,839)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       615
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,454)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,454)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.94)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0