<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COGNEX CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B)
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      48,423,000
<SECURITIES>                                85,577,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,777,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   968,000
<INVENTORY>                                  7,013,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           169,388,000
<PP&E>                                      38,050,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,719,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             201,253,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,571,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        82,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 182,607,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               201,253,000
<SALES>                                    122,843,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           122,843,000
<CGS>                                       38,855,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               38,855,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             43,697,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                13,328,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         30,369,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                30,369,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69