<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-27-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,319
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,717
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      5,018
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,108
<PP&E>                                           1,492
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,012
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17,665
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,354
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,098
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,040
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17,665
<SALES>                                          7,532
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,532
<CGS>                                            4,782
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,916
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    24
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    640
<INCOME-TAX>                                        30
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                610
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13