<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FERROFLUIDICS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND ITS CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED 12/28 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000353286
<NAME> FERROFLUIDICS CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US DOLLAR
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       1,489,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,844,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   339,000
<INVENTORY>                                 14,080,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,882,000
<PP&E>                                      18,804,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,360,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              45,284,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,225,000
<BONDS>                                      5,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    36,301,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  15,434,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                45,284,000
<SALES>                                     15,598,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            15,598,000
<CGS>                                       10,843,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,843,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,348,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             199,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                208,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            184,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   184,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     $.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     $.03