<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WPI GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                         117,546
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,341,402
<ALLOWANCES>                                   340,000
<INVENTORY>                                 12,800,634
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            31,624,500
<PP&E>                                      18,325,791
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,276,612
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              81,463,731
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       11,811,295
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        59,817
<OTHER-SE>                                  23,464,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                81,463,731
<SALES>                                     43,893,178
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            43,893,178
<CGS>                                       26,442,415
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               26,442,415
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,911,195
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             649,602
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,889,966
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,245,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,644,966
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,644,966
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .43