<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                          84,719
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,576,179
<ALLOWANCES>                                   304,000
<INVENTORY>                                  7,858,055
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,982,432
<PP&E>                                      11,967,164
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,253,357
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              49,481,497
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,445,250
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        59,784
<OTHER-SE>                                  22,482,930
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                49,481,497
<SALES>                                     28,330,852
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            28,330,852
<CGS>                                       17,047,939
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               17,047,939
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,333,101
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             505,938
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,443,874
<INCOME-TAX>                                   806,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,637,874
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,637,874
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27