<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COGNEX CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000851205
<NAME> COGNEX CORPORATION
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                      55,814,000
<SECURITIES>                                86,020,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,892,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   989,000
<INVENTORY>                                  7,968,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           179,061,000
<PP&E>                                      39,715,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,791,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             211,293,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       18,653,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        82,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 190,619,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               211,293,000
<SALES>                                     28,143,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            28,143,000
<CGS>                                        7,695,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,695,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,340,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,849,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,491,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,491,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15