<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FERROFLUIDICS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 29, 1997 AND
ITS CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 28,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 28, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000353286
<NAME> FERROFLUIDICS
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       1,557,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,794,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   236,000
<INVENTORY>                                 15,138,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,666,000
<PP&E>                                      19,214,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,603,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              46,151,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,900,000
<BONDS>                                      5,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    36,432,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (15,385,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                46,151,000
<SALES>                                     17,252,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            17,252,000
<CGS>                                       12,011,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               12,011,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,444,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             211,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                320,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                    36,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            284,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   284,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .05