<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CP CLARE
CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K FOR
FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          37,430
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,412
<ALLOWANCES>                                       675
<INVENTORY>                                     20,116
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,790
<PP&E>                                          28,976
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 111,170
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,565
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            92
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   111,170
<SALES>                                        128,161
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                           85,603
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,123
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     8
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 452
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,447)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,464
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,911)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,911)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.77)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0